Preview the 4th Annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Golf Competition

Montgomery, AL – The stage is set for the highly anticipated 4th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Boys’ and Girls’ Golf competition, as the North and South squads have been unveiled. The announcement was made by Brandon Dean, Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA), on Monday, generating a buzz among golf enthusiasts across the state.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) will not only showcase golf talents but will also host all-star games in various sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, cross country, and tennis, during the All-Star Week from July 17-21. The fall and winter sports all-star teams have already been announced, building excitement for the upcoming golf event.

Last December, the 64th annual North-South All-Star Football Game thrilled spectators in Mobile, with the South emerging victorious with a commanding 42-7 win. Now, the focus shifts to the golf course, where the brightest talents of the 2024 rising senior class will take center stage.

Leading the All-Star Golf squads for 2023 are a group of accomplished coaches. Corey Wright from Bob Jones and Keat Litton from Spain Park will guide the North Girls team, with Litton assuming administrative coaching duties. On the other hand, the South Girls team will be under the tutelage of Matt Mellown from Andalusia and Lay Koziol from UMS-Wright, with Koziol handling administrative coaching responsibilities. The North Boys team will be coached by Chris Randall from White Plains, Tyler Malone from Haleyville, and Keat Litton from Spain Park (administrative coach). The South Boys team will be led by Rex Bynum from Enterprise, Gene Allen from Pike Liberal Arts, and Jay Koziol from UMS-Wright (administrative coach).

The selection process has identified exceptional players who will represent their respective teams with pride and determination. Notable among the South girls’ team is Katelyn Foster from Baker High School, who showcased her skills by finishing third in the AHSAA Class 7A state tournament. With a remarkable 3-under par 70-71 – 141 total, Foster’s impressive performance solidifies her as a strong contender in the upcoming All-Star Golf competition.

Meanwhile, the North girls’ team boasts two standout players who secured second-place finishes in their state tournaments. Ellie Cothran from Cherokee County displayed consistency with two consecutive rounds of 75, finishing at 6 over 150 in the Class 4A/5A competition. Chloe Ruble from Lindsay Lane also impressed with a 3-under 69 on day one of the Class 1A/3A division, ultimately concluding the tournament at 2-under 142. These outstanding performances have positioned both Cothran and Ruble as key players to watch during the All-Star Golf event.

The boys’ rosters are equally packed with talent, featuring participants from the 2023 state tournament. Eli Edge from Westbrook Christian emerged as the Class 3A low medalist, delivering an impressive two-day performance with a total of 75-76 – 153. Pierce Becker from Vestavia Hills played a crucial role in his team’s victory in the Class 7A state championship, finishing sixth in individual scoring with a 1-over 145 total, shooting a remarkable 71 on the first day. Trip Duke from Fairhope tied for fourth place in the AHSAA 7A Boys’ State Tournament, concluding with a 71-73 – 144 total to finish even par. In the Class 1A/2A division, Braden Prestwood of Pike Liberal Arts made a strong debut in the AHSAA state tournament, securing a third-place finish with a total of 78-76 – 154.

A total of 17 all-stars, comprising both boys and girls, showcased their skills in the 2023 AHSAA state golf championships, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the upcoming North-South All-Star Golf competition.

Golf enthusiasts and supporters can mark their calendars for Monday, July 17, as the North-South all-star girls’ and boys’ golf competition will take place at Arrowhead Country Club in Montgomery. The prestigious venue will witness the clash of talented golfers vying for victory and representing their regions with unwavering determination.

As the North-South All-Star Golf competition approaches, the North holds the upper hand in the series’ history. Since its introduction to the All-Star Week lineup in 2019, the North has dominated the match-play competition. In 2022, the North swept the match play, defeating the South with an impressive 47-25 scoreline in the girls’ division and a commanding 62.4 – 27.5 in the boys’ division. With a 2-1 lead in the series for the North girls and a 3-0 advantage for the North boys, the South aims to turn the tide and secure victories in the upcoming tournament.

The stage is set for an exhilarating display of golfing prowess as the North-South All-Star Golf competition prepares to tee off. With talented players, experienced coaches, and a rich history of competition, golf enthusiasts and sports fans alike eagerly anticipate the showdown at Arrowhead Country Club. Who will emerge victorious this year? Stay tuned to witness the thrilling battles and remarkable performances that will define the 4th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Boys’ and Girls’ Golf competition.