By Jed Blackwell, Associate Editor-Publisher

The hosts made the most of their own party in the 4A Upper State golf qualifier at Saluda Valley on Monday.

Pickens fired a team score of 334 to beat Catawba Ridge by five strokes to take the top qualifying spot headed into next week’s 4A state championship matches at The Golf Course at Hilton Head Lakes.

The Blue Flame battled windy conditions and a quick course at Saluda Valley, something coach Lem Blackwell was proud to see.

“We showed the importance of team today,” he said. “The wind and fast conditions made it difficult to score, but we overcame the conditions to play our way back and defend our Upper State title. I’m so proud of the grit of this team, finding a way to win when they were not at their best.”

Though Pickens wanted a better score, they did plenty to secure the victory.

All four of the team’s scores were in the Top 15, with Ashton Mosley shooting 82 to lead the way and tie for sixth. Natalie Turner and Emily Hall leading the way in a tie for 9th at 83, while Evie Harkins shot an 86 to finish 14th.

South Aiken finished third in the team standings, as the Thoroughbreds’ Anna Clare Platt finished with the low score of the day at 75.

Eastside and Aiken rounded out the Top 5, while Greenville and Easley also qualified for next week’s state championship.

Individual qualifiers included Berea’s Mercy Santerini, Northwestern’s Lillian Rivers, and York’s Callie Lawton.

Blackwell said his team is excited to have defended their Upper State crown, and looking forward to next week.

“The girls have a lot of confidence in their ability,” he said. “They feel as I do that we haven’t hit on all cylinders as a team. We know we have a low score in us, we just have to do it when the spotlight is on.”

Scores from the Class AAAA Upper State qualifying tournament at Saluda Valley https://www.birdiefire.com/tournament/141183/

Lower State AAAA Scores