There hasn’t been much difference between the top high school golfers in Georgia and South Carolina over the years.

The two states have sent their top teams to play each other for the last 22 years in the Georgia – South Carolina Cup matches.

The series stood exactly even going into play this weekend at the Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg.

Eight of the top teams and four individuals from each state played a 36 hole match to crown an individual champion, a team champion and based on total score of all players, a state champion.

The two state ‘split the top awards with TL Hanna High School from Anderson winning the team title. and Patrick Delaney from Walton High School in Georgia claiming medalist honors.

Delaney managed to over come a triple bogey in the final round to claim a one stroke victory over Hanna’s Bennett Scaletta.

“On number nine I put one in the water then hit it in a bunker and three-putted,” he said.

Instead of being frustrated, Delaney got his final nine off to a good start with a par, but saved his best golf for the end of the round.

Delaney birdied four of his final six holes including the last three to finish his back nine with a 32.

“I birdied the par 5s, made a 50 footer on 17 and almost had an eagle on 18. I really played well both days on the back nine. In the first round I had a 31 on the back,” he said.

Delaney came into the Cup match on a hot streak winning three of his last four tournaments.

The team champion has been just as hot as the individual medalist,

Hanna High School won their own tournament at Brookstone Meadows last Tuesday to go along with a win at the Red Raider Invitational to start the season.

The two time defending South Carolina 5A DII champions are playing outstanding golf individually and as a team.

The Yellow Jackets coach Eric Bona believes his team understands whats ahead of them this season and continues to work towards always getting better.

“This was a nice win over some really outstanding teams and players,” said Bona. “With realignment this year we know there is going to be more competition in 5A DII and the team continues to work hard to be ready,” he said.

Hanna’s status as a defending state champion and having the last two SCGA Junior Players of the Year, Bennett Scaletta and Erik Erlenkeuser, has opened the doors for the Hanna team and individuals to be invited to some specail events.

The Yellow Jackets jumped into cars, as soon as the tournament in Spartanburg was completed. the team jumped into cars to travel to Hilton Head where the team will play in the Jim Ferree Memorial tournament at Long Cove.

“Out guys have played a lot of golf of late. Going on this trip and playing a great golf course, the team could be just out to play for fun, but they don’t. If someone is keeping score our guys want to win,” he said.

When all the scores were added up the South Carolina team won the battle between the states by a record 22 shots.

South Carolina high school golfers now lead the series with Georgia 23-22 .

South Carolina teams included; Hanna, AC Flora, Lexington, Spartanburg, Blue RIdge, Greenwood, Bishop England and Hilton Head Christian. Four individual golfers also played in the tournament. Teddy Dunn from Gray Collegiate, Dylan Park from Wren, Harrison James from Chapin. Casey Kozney and Will Ruth from Dorman.

Georgia High Schools included Harrison, Benedictine, Lake Oconee Academy, Mount Paran, Westminster, Lambert.

Individual golfers from Georgia included Henry Lopydlowski from Gainesville, Zach Wiley from North Oconee, Ledger Conley, from Richmond Hill, Jack Raabe, from Walker School and Patrick Delaney from Walton.

Scores for the Georgia South Carolina Cup are available on line https://ccc-gaschighschoolcup.golfgenius.com/pages/11489147067826191819