LaFayette Golf Club poses unique challenges to Class 3A competition

LaFayette Golf Club might not have a single bunker on the entire course.

But that doesnt matter.

The level of difficulty it presents, and the demand of premier shot-making required will be paramount Monday and Tuesday as the boys and girls Class 3A golf seasons close at the hidden gem in Northwest Georgia.

The course has seen some changes since the original nine holes were built in the 1930s in the traditional fashion for that time. Straight fairways, round greens and a simplistic feel.

The front nine, well, eight holes are very much reminiscent of those 1930s, 40s golf courses, said LaFayette girls golf coach Josh James. They are kind of tight fairways, and very straight with small, circular greens. It will put a premium on accurate second shots. The greens dont have a whole lot of undulations but are sort of turtle-backed and fall off on all sides.

The new nine holes, opened in 1992 and designed by Arthur Davis, adds a juxtaposition between the sides, adding to the challenge of mastering the track.

The city acquired the back nine property in the 1990s and Mr. Davis designed basically hole 10 through hole No. 1 to create the championship 18-hole course, James said. Theres not a whole lot of trouble on the whole golf course. We are a course that features no sand traps, but there are greenside grass bunkers that can cause trouble.

Wesleyans boys won the programs first state championship last season and entering the state tournament, the Wolves are ranked atop the class. They lead Savannah Country Day, Richmond Academy, Columbus and Upson-Lee in the boys top 5. Host LaFayettes boys are ranked No. 8.

On the girls side, Savannah Christian enters the tournament as the defending champions and are ranked No. 5 behind top-ranked White County, Gordon Lee, Dawson County and Hart County. Host LaFayette is ranked No. 8 on the girls side as well.

It sounds crazy when you hear it, but August National is a premium golf course which requires premium shot-placement and rewards those good shots, putting the ball in the right spots. LaFayette is similar on shot placement, if you get a little bit off line, you can bring bogey, double-bogey or worse into play.

Class 3A Boys Top 10

1. Wesleyan

2. Savannah Country Day

3. Richmond Academy

4. Columbus

5. Upson-Lee

6. Calvary Day

7. Bremen

8. LaFayette

9. Adairsville

10. Thomasville

Class 3A Girls Top 10

1. White County

2. Gordon Lee

3. Dawson County

4. Hart County

5. Savannah Christian

6. Adairsville

7. Columbus

8. LaFayette

9. Wesleyan

10. Oconee County