Warriors take state golf championship
Published 2:33 pm Tuesday, April 27, 2021
- The Brookwood Warriors golf team celebrates its GISA Class AAA state golf championship, won Monday at Brunswick Country Club. From left to right are Jay Sanders, JD Culbreth, Jack Boltja, Kat Cook, George Arline, Shep Davis and coach Drew Giudice.
THOMASVILLE — Frederica Academy’s dominance in GISA golf came to an end Monday afternoon at the hands of the Brookwood Warriors.
Powered by senior Jack Boltja’s eye-popping 65, the Warriors scored 290, eight strokes better than Frederica’s 298, to capture the Class AAA championship at Brunswick Country Club.
It was Brookwood’s first golf title since 1984.
Frederica had won 13 straight titles but couldn’t overcome Brookwood’s depth, highlighted by Boltja. His low round of the championship was highlighted by a back-nine 28. He shot an eagle and six birdies to finish 7-under for the championship. He birdied his last five holes.
“He said in tournament play, he’s never gone as low as 65 yesterday. He’s really been struggling with a back injury,” Brookwood coach Drew Giudice said. “To see him hit his stride when it mattered most was really, really impressive. He’s a competitor. He really saved his best for when it mattered most.
“He just got into a zone. It was cool to watch. It was almost like watching a pitcher throwing a no-hitter or an NBA player who can’t miss. He was sinking every single putt.”
Giudice said Boltja sank about a 35-putt for an eagle that sparked his back nine.
Boltja, who’s signed with Georgia Southern, won the individual championship by five strokes.
Junior Jay Sanders shot a 2-over 74. Eighth-grader JD Culbreth fired a 3-over 75. Junior Kat Cook, who’s committed to Florida State, shot a 4-over 76, and senior George Arline shot a 4-over 76.
Valwood finished in third place at 311.