Lions shoot 330 to earn a place in next week’s 3A championship; Reid and Montgomery play off for unofficial individual honors

By Stan Olenik. Editor-Publisher. The Golf Club

There are no awards at the South Carolina High School League’s Upper and Lower State qualifying tournaments. No medals, no banners, no recognition at all.

The prize is a place in the state championship, and Daniel earned it in convincing fashion. The Lions shot 330 to finish first in the 18-hole Upper State qualifier at Southern Oaks in Easley and secure a spot in next week’s 3A championship at Diamondback Golf Club in Loris.

“We went into it very relaxed because I told them, you know, we’re not necessarily here to finish first,” Daniel coach Swords said. “We’d love to finish first, but we’re here mainly to make sure we qualify. I think they just played really relaxed.”

Swords has been building the Lions’ program over the past couple of years. His teams won state championships in 2018 and 2019, and finished second or third several other times. This year’s team has been developing the experience it needs to compete for a title.

“We’ve had kind of an up-and-down season so far,” Swords said. “But we put things together today and played really well.”

Daniel finished 20 shots ahead of local rival Wren. Sophia Hepler and Campbell Epting both shot personal bests to lead the Lions and give the team momentum heading into the championship.

“They both played really well, and I’m super proud of my four and five players,” Swords said. “If they can drop that thing down under 95, you know, we’ve got a chance at state.”

Keeping the team relaxed may be more difficult with a state title on the line. The field will include the top teams from the Lower State, where Hartsville, Gilbert and Atlantic Collegiate each shot 351 at The Country Club of South Carolina near Florence.

Daniel’s 330 was the best score among the qualifying teams, but Swords knows that won’t decide the championship. He said the Lions know a little about Gilbert and Hartsville, and that both have an outstanding player. Gilbert’s Adysen Langdale shot 69, three under par, for the best individual score in the Lower State qualifier.

There is no set formula for assigning tee times at the state championship, but teams with the best scores in the Upper and Lower State qualifiers usually get an early start in the first round.

“We should get to start early at 9 a.m. We may be paired with Wren and one or two of those Lower State teams. If it works out that way, it is what you want,” Swords said.

Swords will take his team to Loris on Saturday for a practice round. Sunday will be a lighter day, with some chipping and putting, so the players can be ready—and rested—for the opening round.

“If it works out like this, it will be very good for us,” Swords said. “We play early on Monday after getting rested on Sunday, and then get a late start in the second round.”

Swords said he believes the team has been close to a breakthrough for the past two years. The players, he said, have grown and matured, and he thinks they have a chance to win if they can put together strong rounds across the team.

“We’re just hoping they can put it together again,” he said. “Each one of our golfers can put it together one day. They don’t have to necessarily do it two days. If one of them can put it together one day and one the next, and the top three do their thing, do what they can do, we’ll have a chance to win.”

Though there is no official Upper State medalist, the top two individuals at Southern Oaks held a playoff of their own. Rylee Reid of Pickens and Reese Montgomery of Powdersville each shot 75 to tie for the low score.

Rather than sign their scorecards and turn their attention to next week’s championship, the two decided to play off. Montgomery won on the third extra hole to become the unofficial 3A Upper State medalist.