Sophomore Gracyn Cox also shined, shooting a two-day score of 156 and a four-over round on Tuesday to help the Tigers make history.
After the celebratory photos, Cox — who will be a leader for the next several seasons for Conway — was quick to give credit to her team and those who have been a part of the process.
“We work year-round for this,” Cox said. “We’ve done that for years, and we just have so many people around us who have pushed us to get to this moment. We thank them so much… Our whole team has put in so much effort for years just to be here. That’s what makes this exciting, how hard we worked.”
Junior Austen Deal (157), senior Riley Batson (160) and sophomore Laynee Lamont were excellent in Conway’s two-day effort.
Conway girls golf head coach Brian Rogers celebrates his team’s Class 4A state championship win on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
By Joe Wedra
joe.wedra@myhorrynews.com
Rogers says Richardson and Batson, the group’s two seniors, have been the ideal leaders to have for a championship team.
“Ever since I took the team over, when [Reese] and Riley were in eighth grade, they were leaders even when they weren’t the oldest on the team,” Rogers said of the duo.
“I have been able to step away because they are so driven and they are so self-motivated… They have such an amazing game, for me, it’s more of a golf management side. It’s been an amazing partnership to have them a part of this team. They are such leaders.”
The coach says his team’s chemistry was evident throughout the season, and the group’s faith played a pivotal role in keeping them grounded and focused.
“We pray before we play,” the coach said. “As they go off the tee, I tell them five things: good luck, play well, succeed, have fun and walk with God. He has walked with us this season. This has been an unbelievable season.”
Unbelievable it was.
Long after the final putt fell on Tuesday, friends and family stayed at The Hackler Course to pose for pictures and soak up the moment.
Ending an almost 50-year championship drought is no easy task.