Morgan Academy wins second straight AISA golf championship

Published 5:13 pm Tuesday, April 30, 2019

By Scott Watkins/Troy Messenger

Morgan Academy won its second straight AISA state golf championship on Tuesday behind a strong individual performance by Jones Free at the Troy Country Club.

The Senators took a 15-stroke lead following round one Monday and doubled that lead on Tuesday for a dominant 30-stroke victory.

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Morgan shot 39 over par in the tournament with Glenwood School finishing in second with a 69 shots over par showing.

“It was a team win,” Morgan coach Ira Wagoner said. “We’re very happy. We’re proud of the team and we’re certainly proud of Jones Free.”

Free spearheaded Morgan’s win by shooting two under par for the tournament and winning a playoff with Macon East Academy’s Bishop Stringer for the state title.

The sophomore shot a 67 on Monday, giving himself a three stroke lead on Stringer. Free struggled on the back nine, allowing Stringer to pull even. Free birdied the final hole to force a playoff, though, where he won on the third hole.

Free had to deal with adversity early on Monday, however. After starting his day with a birdie and eagle on his first two holes, Free shot a double bogie at the next hole and followed that up with another bogie.

“That does not bother him,” Wagoner said. “Even though he is 16-years-old, he is very mature on the golf course.”

For Free, winning the individual championship was important but said he was glad to see his team bring home the championship again.

“I expected our team to win this year,” Free said. “I came in here with a chip on my shoulder. I really wanted to win individuals but I’m really proud of my teammates.”

While Morgan will celebrate its championship at the moment, Wagoner believes the Senators has a chance to win a third straight title in 2020. The Senators only lose two starters off the squad: Pierson Atchison and David Cothran.

“We’ve got a good nucleus coming back next year,” Wagoner said. “We should be able to compete again next year. Three in a row would be really good.”

Thomas Morris shot seven over for the Senators, while Gus Colvin shot 11 over. Both improved on their first round showing by one stroke in the second round.

Wagoner has coached Morgan Academy’s golf team for nine years and he has now turned the Senators into a championship program for years to come.