TIFTON – One day after the postponing the state area qualifying golf tournament due to inclement weather, Colquitt County High’s boys and girls golf teams reached their top three goal and will now prepare for the GHSA Class 7A championships three weeks from now.

At the Spring Hill course in Tifton on Tuesday, the Lady Packers were the best out of seven teams with a cumulative score of 267. These teams, if anyone didn’t place in the top three, needed to card a score of 300 or lower in order to make the state field. Only two others – both from Region 1-7A – met both requirements as Lowndes shot 280 and Tift County 293.

Grayson, Archer and Shiloh represented Region 8-7A.

Elizabeth Funderburk led Colquitt’s effort with a round of 79. Madison Willis had her best high school varsity round with a 94, and Grace Jarvis equaled that mark.

The Packer boys golf team came in second place Tuesday scoring 312. Camden County, also from 1-7A, was the first place team at an even 300.

The drama of the day was who would get that third guaranteed slot. Both Tift County and Grayson came home at 315, and in the playoff it was Grayson prevailing. Lowndes shot 318, which was below the state qualifying score of 330.

“We did what we came to do,” said boys coach Donald Dale. “We didn’t play well … but the purpose was to finish in the top three.”

Individually for Colquitt, Tanner Brown had the low round of 75. Lance Blanchett was close behind at 77. Both J.W. Griffin and Peyton Clark shot round of 80.

The state for boys and girls in Class 7A is a two-round event May 22-23 at Chateau Elan in Braselton.

“We wanted to represent our region,” said girls coach Matt Key. “But the competition at state is going to be much stiffer. We are going to have to hit it hard in practice these next three weeks.”