Benedictine squad emerges as one of Georgia's best
Kevin Halligan was a member of the last Benedictine golf team to win a state title in his senior year of 1993.
Now Halligan is coaching a Cadet team stacked with talent that is looking to leave a legacy of its own.
Benedictine started the season with wins at its first two tournaments—The Cadets 'A' team won the Camden Classic at Osprey Cove in Kingsland with a 4-over par 292, while the 'B' team finished fourth with a 316. Eight Cadet players broke 78 in windy conditions, with freshman Bear Dollander taking medalist honors with a 3-under par 69.
The Cadets followed that up with another team title at their own tournament as they won the 1902 Cadet Cup at the Savannah Golf Club with another 4-over-par 292. Richmond Hill's Ledger Conley won medalist honors with a 70, and Dollander was tied for third with a 72. Senior Whit Watson and sophomore Hamp Threlkeld were in the hunt with 73s and Colby Brennan shot 74 for the Cadets, who beat Richmond Hill by nine strokes to take the team crown.
BC was back in action as the host of the Georgia South Carolina Cup at the Savannah Golf Club last weekend in an event featuring some of the top teams in the South. The Cadets didn't have their best performance — finishing in a tie for 10th, but came back with some strong play on Saturday to show the kind of potential this squad has.
"We have a lot of talent and right now they are just trying to learn to play team golf together," Halligan said. "We started out the year really strong and are learning about how you really can't quit — it's different when you're playing team golf from when playing by yourself. They learned that in the first couple of events and they believe in each other and are growing together. It's been fun to watch them and see them going to dinners together and just hanging out."
Watson, a team captain, was an AllGreater Savannah first-team selection last year. The senior was born without a right hand, but has never let it slow him down in his athletic endeavors.
"Whit is an inspiration to everyone who watches him play golf. He just guts through everything," Halligan said. "He lays out the groundwork for the younger guys and he sets the tone that they follow."
Threlkeld helps lead a contingent of youngsters for the Cadets. The sophomore was the All-Greater Savannah Player of the Year last season and is following it up with another strong campaign. He finished 17th individually last year at the Class 4A State Tourna
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
ment as the Cadets were fifth in the team standings.
"Our team is very competitive in practices and tournaments," said Threlkeld, whose older brother Hughes plays at the University of North Georgia. "We all want to be great as individuals, but realize that our success as a team is the main goal. It's a lot different than the summer when we're out there trying to beat each other in tournaments. During the high school season, we're trying to get the best out of each other."
Threlkeld and freshman Bear Dollander have been jockeying back and forth in the No. 1 spot for the Cadets, with Watson right there. Threlkeld has been averaging 72 strokes per round, with Dollander averaging 71, Halligan said.
Freshman Jack Weeks, another bigtime talent on the junior circuit, has also been a key contributor, along with Colby Brennan. Weeks, also a member of the Cadet basketball team, shot one of the best second rounds at the Georgia South Carolina Cup with a 74.
Dollander has been sidelined with a severe ankle sprain he suffered playing pickup basketball at Benedictine. He's expected to return to the lineup in about three weeks.
"Our team has all the potential in the world if we keep working hard," Dollander said Saturday at the Georgia South Carolina Cup. "If we stay focused and play our best, the sky is the limit."
The Cadets are also looking forward to the return of Chad Chadwell, another talented sophomore, who is dealing with a back injury. He is expected back around late April, in time for a postseason run.
"We have so many great young players," Watson said. "Bear (Dollander) and Jack (Weeks) have been great additions. It's always great when you can count on six guys, or more, to have the potential to shoot in the mid 70s on any given day. I think we're going to be ready to make a run for a state title."