While most of the teams in South Carolina were playing in an Upper or Lower State qualifying tournament on Monday, Southside Christian was winning a championship.

The Sabres won the school’s first golf championship with a victory in the Class A tournament played at the Ponderosa Golf Club in Batesburg-Leesville.

“We have three seniors who have been playing golf since they were in the 7th grade,” said Sabres coach David Beddingfield. “They know how to play tournament golf and their experience showed,” he said.

With an experienced team the Southside Christian coach didn’t need to give much of a pep talk before the tournament.

“I told the team to give it their best and stay away from the big numbers and we will be alright,” he said.

Led by Medalist Trey Cauthen the Sabres ran away from the field to record a 61 stroke victory for the title.

All five Sabre golfers made the All-State team. Cauthen led the way shooting a 76. Tillman Alverson was second at 77, Will Robinson carded a 79 with brothers Garrett and Preston White pitching in for the big victory.

With a team of year-round golfers Southside Christian completed an outstanding year with the state title.

During the regular season the Sabres didn’t just beat teams in their classification, but added wins in tournaments against bigger schools.

Southside Christian won The Emerald Viking championship at Greenwood over a field that included AC Flora, the top ranked AAAA team in the state. The team also claimed the Ponderosa Shoot-Out.

Among the teams three runner-up finishes during the year was a second place finish at the Aynor Blue Jacket topping some of the better teams from the lower state.

“I think the fact that many of our players gained a lot of experience playing in South Carolina Junior Golf Association events had to help them this year. They put in the time and the work and it paid off,” said the coach.

Also putting in the time was a large support group of parents and grand parents that cheered their young golfers on to a successful outcome to the season.

“We have great parents and grand parents. It makes a big difference when you have that family backing. They traveled all over the state to support these players and they got to enjoy the championship with the guys,” said Beddingfield.

The Sabres lose three seniors from the championship team, but have four members of the varsity returning for next year as well as an improving junior varsity squad of nine golfers.

The team will be honored with a victory party and an awards banquet to wrap up a memorable season for Southside Christian.