The Dawson County boys and girls golf teams held their banquets May 24 in the Dawson County High School auditorium.

Both teams are coming off a remarkable year in 2010.

The boys’ team finished as Region 8-AA runners-up to North Oconee and qualified for state play.

The Tigers wound up in 10th place overall at the state tournament held at Crabapple Golf Club in Woodstock.

The girls also had a great year. The Lady Tigers finished second in region behind Jefferson High School.

Head Coach Van Samples’ girls qualified for state and finished in an amazing seventh place overall.

Athletic Director Grady Turner welcomed parents, friends and players to the banquet. Turner then introduced head coach, for both teams, Van Samples to the podium.

The audience was treated to a 25-minute slide show presentation. The slide show was a tribute to the seniors and a celebration of the success of both teams.

Samples introduced the girls’ team first and commented about each player.

There were no freshmen on the girls’ team this season.

Taylor Hasbrouck and Tatum Turner are the only two sophomores on the team.

Hasbrouck had a wonderful season. She was the low medalist for the Lady Tigers at the region tournament.

Rachel Dotson and Jessi Phillips were the two juniors on this years’ team.

Samples said that Dotson was the low medalist eight times this season and was low medalist for the team at the state tournament.

Erin Pruitt was the lone senior. Samples thanked Pruitt for her 4-years of dedication and hard work to the team. Pruitt was presented with a senior plaque and a golf flag.

Samples commented that the girls just amazed him by finishing second in the region and getting to state.

“I put them out on the range to get them better without playing the course. Obviously, it must have worked as they got better everyday,” he said.

The boys’ team was made up of 10 players. Clay Glover and Levi Samples were the two freshmen. Coach Samples said [Levi] Samples was both athlete and competitor: “He takes instruction well.”

About Glover, Samples said that his game is improving and should be a big part of the team next season.

John Chameli, Logan Lewis, Coleman Lowenthal and Caleb Samples were the four sophomores on the team.

“[Caleb] Samples got better each week. His stroke average was sixth on the team. Lowenthal and Coleman love golf and work hard. Lewis (Logan) is an athlete. He continued to get better after he joined us after basketball. John (Chameli) strikes the ball very well,” Samples said.

Wesley Bearden was the lone junior on this years’ team.

“This is Wesley’s third year earning a letter. I thought he had a great year. He was our low medalist at the state tournament. Wesley plans on playing lots of golf this summer,” said Samples.

There were three seniors on the state tournament team, Justin Denard, Cody Palmer and Zack Williams.

“Justin has been with me since he played as an eighth grader. He has a good golf swing. Justin is a fine young man and I will miss his absence,” said Samples.

“I have also had Zack since he was an eighth grader. He was a four-time low medalist for us this year. Zack is a solid player and has a great sense of humor,” he added.

Senior Cody Palmer was absent from the banquet. He was caddying his brother at a golf event out of state.

Denard, Palmer and Williams each received a senior plaque and golf flag.

In closing, Samples thanked assistant principals, Thomas Edwards and Steve Sweat, for their availability to drive them to matches.