GOLF: Martin’s hole-in-one headlines West Laurens win over Jeff Davis; Trinity boys start 2-0

Wade Martin held the follow through as he watched his shot take to the sky from a perfect vantage point on the tee of the picturesque par-3 ninth hole at Green Acres. 

The ball, on a flight path almost as pretty, cleared the water, and then the flagstick as it landed a few feet directly behind the cup, and backed its way in for the third hole-in-one of the West Laurens junior’s career. 

Martin turned to his left and pumped a clenched fist in celebration as some onlookers – including several family members,  teammate Keith Howell and his head coach Whitney Alligood – offered some congratulatory high fives and hugs. 

His memorable ace was the highlight of another win for the Raider boys golf team as they resumed their unbeaten start to the season in a first home match against Jeff Davis. 

It was another strong nine-hole performance for the defending AAA state champions, who prevailed 147-165 but – in what the team considered a slight disappointment – shot three over par after going two under the previous week in its first match win over Bleckley County in Cochran. 

Both victories follow their season debut, with a first-place finish among multiple teams at the Stableford-scored Heart of Georgia Invitational, in Hawkinsville late last month. 

Across town at Dublin Country Club, the Trinity Christian boys golf team opened its season with a 160-207 win over Macon’s Covenant Academy. 

The Crusaders were led by John Brantley, who shot a 1-under par 35, and Charlie Maffett, who carded a 37. Hayden Bowles (43) and Cole Johnson (45) rounded out their top four scores, followed closely by Jonathan Rozier (46), Jagger George (47) and Kason Slater (49).

They went on Thursday to defeat Westminster Christian 154-217 to improve to 2-0. Brantley once again fired the top score of 37. while Bowles added a 38, Johnson 39 and Maffett 40 to the Trinity total.