Ramblers shoot 298 to win LaFayette Invitational

It was just six years ago that the LaFayette Ramblers won the LaFayette Invitational and did so with a team score of 344.

That score would have been good enough for seventh place in the 2017 edition of the tournament.

Instead, the Ramblers were the only team in the 17team field to post a score under 300 at the LaFayette Golf Course this past Saturday as they won what they hope will be the first of many tournaments this spring.

LaFayette’s turned in four scores of 77 or better and finished with a 298 to win the tournament by five shots. Class A private school stalwart First Presbyterian Day made the long drive up from Macon and placed second at 303, while Ft. Payne, Ala. went home with a third-place finish at 317.

The victory ended two years of frustration for the hometown team, who were forced to settle for the runner-up trophy each time.

“It’s crazy,” head coach Tom Langford said. “The last two years we’ve shot what would have been the lowest score in the tournament’s history, only to have someone else come in at the end with a lower score. So to finally shoot a good score and have it hold up is nice.”

Gage Smith led the Ramblers with a 72 and finished as the tournament’s individual runner-up, while Cole Ingram was a shot back

placed fourth in the high jump.

The Trojans had tough day against a good field. Nathaniel Wright was third in the high jump (5-10.25) and Drew Cobb placed fourth in both the pole vault (110) and the long jump (19-1.25).

Cedartown picked up 98 points to hold off Dalton (94.5) for the top spot in the boys’ standings. Cass (87), Calhoun (78) and Pickens (77) rounded out the top five. Heritage (33.5) was seventh and Gordon Lee (18.5) placed 11th.

Gordon Lee is scheduled to host Dade County in meets on Tuesday and Thursday of this week.