JEKYLL ISLAND -- The Gainesville boys golf team picked up the 2013 campaign right where it left off, as the defending state champs claimed their opening tournament of the season in the Johnny Paulk Invitational at Jekyll Island.
Playing the Pine Lakes Course, the Red Elephants edged out Greenbrier High of Augusta, recording a team score of 306 -- one stroke better than Greenbrier. Brookstone of Columbus was third in the 32-team field, finishing at 310.
Gainesville's golfers overcame high winds on the course that gusted to 40 miles per hour and were led by junior Jackson Bishop with a three-over 75 -- three strokes off low medalist honors earned by Brookstone's David Clark (72).
In fact the weather and a crowded course meant that North Hall, which also participated, could not finish play.
Gainesville's Lawson King, Nathan Williams and Spencer Ralston all carded rounds of 77, while Pep Brown finished with a 79 and Grant Lasseter an 81. (The top four scores were counted for each team).
Reeves Bell also excelled for Gainesville, playing as an individual, Bell fired a 75, while Webber Wycoff shot an 80 and Davis Brown an 85.
Gainesville will take to the course again on Saturday in the Apple Mountain Invitational in Clarkesville.
