The Lake Oconee Academy boys golf team continued its championship run in 2026, rolling to its second consecutive GHSA Class A Division II state title behind another deep and consistent performance from its top players.
The Titans finished with a two-day score of 13-over-par 581, running away from the field to win by 60 strokes over runner-up Metter and once again establishing themselves as one of Georgia’s premier small-school programs.
For head coach John Tillery, the repeat championship reflected both talent and culture within the program.
“Yeah, it’s fun. Obviously, that’s the goal of the year,” Tillery said. “Everything kind of builds up and points to that, and that’s the ultimate goal. So it’s always nice to be able to get it done.”
Lake Oconee Academy’s success was built on year-round commitment and internal competition, with Tillery emphasizing the individual motivation that drives a golf roster.
“It helps when those guys are used to having some work ethic and handling their business,” he said. “So, the future’s bright, and this team’s going to get better over the next few years, too.”
The Titans entered the postseason confident after winning the area championship at Harbor Club, their home course advantage providing a boost during the stretch run. After a strong regular season that included early-season lessons from tough tournaments, LOA found its rhythm at the right time.
“We started off with a couple of big events early in the year and didn’t really play our best,” Tillery said. “I think it kind of was a wake-up call, and the team just kept getting better as the year went on.” By the time the state tournament arrived, the Titans were locked in and well-rested after a brief break in the schedule. That preparation paid off in a dominant showing, with Lake Oconee controlling the field from start to finish.
“I think our top three guys all finished top 10 in the tournament,” Tillery said. “It was a big one by a bunch, and the kids did a really good job.”
Individually, Seminole County sophomore Jack Palmer claimed medalist honors with a two-round total of 1-under-par 141, but Lake Oconee quickly filled the leaderboard behind him.
Junior Eli Tillery led the Titans with a runner-up finish at 1-over 143, while Michael McNulty tied for third at 4-over 146. Both Poli Medrano and Tucker Littleton also finished at 146, giving LOA four golfers inside the top five and underscoring the team’s remarkable depth.
Tillery noted that three standouts formed the backbone of the lineup all season long.
“Eli, Poli, and Tucker were kind of the horses,” he said. “There weren’t many tournaments we played in that we didn’t count their score every round.”
With that consistency and a roster expected to return much of its core, the Titans believe the run may not be slowing down anytime soon. Only one key contributor, Drew, is graduating, leaving Lake Oconee poised to extend its championship streak.
“We’ve got three of our top guys coming back and some good freshmen coming in too,” Tillery said. “I expect us to just keep getting better and hopefully keep the streak alive.”
For Lake Oconee Academy, the 2026 title was not just a repeat — it was a statement. The Titans didn’t just win again; they dominated again, and in the process, strengthened a championship culture that shows no signs of fading.