MOULTRIE – Looking back at the Colquitt County High 2019 golf season, it was a bit of a “bummer.” Yes, then-junior Tanner Brown qualified for the GHSA 7A championships as defending low medalist, but he was the only Packer making the trip as a player.

According to coach Lee Wright, Brown is one determined senior wants another state championship, but not just for himself but with the team as a whole.

And so the 2020 season began with a pair of unique events, one taking place at Spring Hill in Tifton. This is significant for Wright and the Packers, for Spring Hill is the site of this year’s 7A boys two-round final, and they want as much exposure on this course as possible.

Wright took his six-member team to play the Ryder Cup-style format – North vs. South – with each player paired against another 1 on 1. He said all six won handily leading the South to a team victory.

Those six players are Brown, his brother Tucker Brown, senior Caleb Yarbrough, junior Tyler Key and two freshmen: Chase Blanton and Marshall McCranie.

On Monday, three Packers plus two Lady Packers made up a co-ed team at the President’s Day Shootout hosted by Carrollton High School. Colquitt County’s group placed fourth in the team standings, and Tanner Brown won low medalist with a round of 68.

Brown in fact beat out Buford’s Jackson Buchanan for the honor, and Buchanan is a junior who earlier this year committed to Illinios.

Blanton, in his first stroke-play tournament, carded a 75. Wright said he was very impressed because Blanton was actually around par most of the round before slipping with two bogies on his final 9.

McCranie began the day with a pair of double bogies, but Wright said he settled down well and finished with an 84.

Tanner Brown is committed to play for Central Alabama Community College. He won his state championship as a sophomore when Sunset Country Club in Moultrie hosted the 7A boys.

“He works the hardest of anyone I’ve seen at this level,” said Wright. “He’s on the course from the time he gets out of school until the evening. He has a great work ethic.”

And Wright feels if he can get a fourth round like his second and third players had in Carrollton, they should get past the area tournament in Monroe and return to Spring Hill for a full run at state.