Lake Oconee Academy’s golf programs left little doubt about their championship pedigree on Monday, May 4.
The Titans put on a commanding performance at the area tournament at Harbor Club, with both the girls and boys teams cruising to decisive victories and punching their tickets to this spring’s state tournament.
The LOA girls team delivered one of the most dominant showings of the season, sweeping the top four individual spots and posting a team score of 145 (score two) — a staggering 72 shots clear of runner-up Trion.
Leading the charge was two-time individual state champion Lili Nelson, who turned in a spectacular round of five-under- par 67. Nelson’s day featured six birdies and an eagle, as she ran away with medalist honors in emphatic fashion.
“We’re a relatively young team with only two seniors on a squad of nine,” girls coach Alan Dodds said. “But today was all about our two senior co-captains. Lili was fabulous all day and really had her putter going on the first nine.”
Starting on the back nine, Nelson wasted no time finding her rhythm. By the time she completed her eighth hole of the day, she had already carded four birdies. Her round reached another level on a par-five, where she holed out a wedge from roughly 80 feet for eagle after missing the green long with her second shot.
Teammate Kensley Windham complemented Nelson’s performance with a steady round of 78 to finish runner-up. Windham opened with a 38 on the front nine and closed strong, stringing together four consecutive pars to cap her day. Sophomore Tianna Chiplock added an 80 to secure third place individually, further highlighting LOA’s depth.
“Kensley was steady all day,” Dodds said. “She drove it in the fairway consistently, hit most of her irons on the greens, and had a bunch of tap-in pars.”
While the girls dominated with precision and consistency, the LOA boys matched that intensity with their own performance. The Titans swept the top five individual spots and posted a team score of 296 (score four), finishing 98 strokes ahead of Trion.
Sophomore Poli Medrano led the way with a two-under-par 70, pacing a group of five Titans who all finished in the 70s. Classmate Eli Tillery followed closely behind with a 71. Tucker Littleton added a 77, while Payne Roussel carded a 78 and Michael McNulty posted a 79 to round out the Titans’ scoring four at 296. Drew Urrutia finished with a 94, contributing to the team’s dominant overall showing.
LOA boys coach Chris Ingle praised not only his team’s performance, but the character behind it.
“We are thrilled to see the boys' golf team win another Area championship,” Ingle said. “From top to bottom, this group of young men loves the game and works incredibly hard to master it. Even better than that, it is a group filled with high character and outstanding qualities. They are exemplary representatives of their school and their families. Coach (Keetah) Singleton and Coach (John) Tillery are great leaders who guide them towards this great success on and off the course. Their foundation is built for the highest level of achievement for years to come.”
For Dodds, the victory on the girls' side carried added meaning as his senior leaders continue to set the tone for a younger roster.
“I can’t help but smile when I watch seniors finish their high school careers on a high note,” he said. “These two have been great leaders for our younger girls, both last spring and this year. I know they want to finish strong and bring home another state championship trophy to LOA.”
With area titles secured and momentum firmly on their side, both Lake Oconee Academy squads now turn their focus to the state tournament, where expectations will be just as high as their level of play.