WEST POINT — Pillow Academy freshman Steve Pannell saved his best for last.
Riding the momentum of a red-hot start to his round, Pannell fired a 1-over-par 73 at Old Waverly Golf Club here Tuesday to earn medalist honors and help lead Pillow to a State AAA championship.
It was the first state title in golf for Pillow since 1980 — when Cissye Gallagher, the mother of two current players, and Johnny Ola, the uncle of one current player, led the way for a championship.
Pannell, who has played golf for PA since the sixth grade, edged out nationally ranked junior player Davis Riley of Presbyterian Christian School, who shot a 74.
“I really didn’t see this coming, but it came at the right time,” said Pannell, who had struggled a bit in the last couple of tournaments. “We really needed it because it was the last tournament so we went all out. We really wanted to do it for our seniors.”
Pillow finished with a team score of 307, ten shots ahead of second-place Jackson Academy (317), which finished as the state AAA runner-up for the second straight year.
Junior Lou Adams shot a 75 — tying him for a third-place finish.
“Lou played a solid round of golf with three birdies and three bogeys and was even par standing on the 18th tee. A stray tee shot into the right trees led to a triple bogey on a very difficult hole,” PA coach Randy Bensley said. “Lou is one of the most talented young players we have, and I am very excited he’ll be back with us next year.”
Freshman Kathleen Gallagher (78) and senior Thomas Gallagher (81) rounded out the scoring for Pillow. Anthony Ola (84) and Jackson Pannell (91) had the other two scores for PA.
“I could not be me more proud of these kids in how they played and prepared for this event,” Bensley said. “I am especially proud for our two seniors, Thomas Gallagher and Anthony Ola, who have competed on this team since they were in the sixth grade.”
Pannell got off to a blazing start with birdies on four of his first six holes and turned with a 34. He then went on to birdie holes 10 and 11 to get back to 4 under and then held on to a great round against maybe the toughest six finishing holes in the state.
“I couldn’t be happier for Steve, and I am very excited to see what he is going to accomplish in this game in the years to come,” Bensley said. “It says a lot about a young man who can play under that kind of pressure at that venue and beat the best young players in the state.”
Jackson Prep (320) finished third and MRA (325) was fourth, followed by Heritage (332), Starkville (352), Parklane (354) and PCS (387).
n Contact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
