Stallions to host weekend golf tournament

Published 3:00 pm Thursday, February 24, 2022

TIFTON — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College started its 2022 spring golf season Monday, but are eagerly awaiting the end of the week.

Sunday, Feb. 27 starts the ABAC Stallion Invitational, the first home tournament under Coach Larry Byrnes. The tournament starts 8 a.m. Sunday at Spring Hll Country Club and will wrap on Tuesday, March 1.

“It’s something new for us,” said Byrnes, adding it had a been some time since ABAC hosted its own event. He has been spending recent days putting the final touches on the tournament, with excellent help from Spring Hill’s staff. “It should be a really good tournament,” he said.

Two of the NJCAA’s top teams are scheduled to play, Central Alabama Community College and Wallace State (Ala.). Schools from all over the southeast are coming, including Andrew College, Georgia Military College, Jefferson State Community College (Ala.), Walters State (Tenn.) and Ave Maria (Fla.). Byrnes said five players will compete as individuals as well.

“Central Alabama’s very tough to beat,” he said.

The tournament is only half of the excitement for Byrnes. He has his roster back from 2021, with two returnees, Brock Barber and Hagen Marion, being major award winners. Others returning include Ben Sanders, Brady Kotkiewicz and Gabe Lewis.

“We’ll be competitive wherever we play,” said Byrnes.

Byrnes was not just satisfied with their golf, but cited the 3.6 GPA by the Stallions as a team.

ABAC finished 16th nationally in 2021. Marion and Barber were the Stallions’ top two finishers.