TIFTON – With the Region 1-7A and, more importantly, the Area 1, golf tournaments looming, the Colquitt County boys golf team appears to be rounding into postseason shape.

The Packers turned in their best score of the season on Tuesday in the rain-delayed Blue Devil Invitational at Spring Hill Country Club in Tifton, carding a 306, good for second place.

“A 306 is not bad, especially after we gave the kids all spring break off,” coach Donald Dale said.

And the round was close to being much better.

J.W. Griffin and Lance Blanchett each double-bogeyed and Peyton Clark and Tanner Brown both bogeyed their final holes.

“They’re disappointed because of the way they finished,” Dale said of his team. “Everybody kind of let really good rounds get away.

“But I thought we came back from spring break really well. We were right on the verge of a 300.”

Colquitt was not a match for Columbus High, however. Led by a low-medalist score of 67 turned in by Jonathan Parker, son of coach Chris Parker, Columbus took first place with a 292.

“Columbus is really good,” Dale said. “They’ve got three seniors who are Division I kids.”

Houston County was third, a shot back of the Packers. Harris County shot a 311 for fourth and tournament-host Tift County was fifth on its home course with a 320.

The rest of the field included Coffee, sixth, 323; Ware County, 337; Crisp Academy and Smiths Station (Ala.), 350; Veterans, 357; Tift County No. 2, 367; and Northside-Warner Robins 445.

The tournament was rained out on Monday and several teams did not elect to return to play on Tuesday.

Blanchett and Brown each shot 1-over 73 for the Packers and were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Clark and Griffin each turned in an 80; Harrison Kebler had an 84; and Patrick Holman shot 99.

Dale sounded optimistic as the Packers prepare for the stretch run, which will begin with a Ryder Cup match against Lowndes on Thursday, April 13, at Sunset Country Club.

The region tournament is scheduled for April 17, but it will have no effect on which teams advance to the state tournament.

“It will help us get points for the Athletic Directors All-Sports Trophy, though,” Dale said.

The goal is to play well in the area tournament, which will be held at Spring Hill, and to qualify for the 36-hole state tournament, scheduled for May 22-23 at Chateau Elan in Braselton.