By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
Three-time defending Class 3A state champion Montgomery Academy was well on its way to a fourth straight crown after Monday's opening day of competition at the state golf meet in Mobile.
Montgomery Academy shot a round of 327 and had a 15-stroke lead over Leeds, which finished at 342 on day one. Good Hope was third at 352 and Lauderdale County rounded out the top half of the field in fourth place at 356.
T.R. Miller was in fifth place after day one with a score of 359. The rest of the field included Sardis in sixth place at 366, Rogers in seventh at 377 and Glencoe in eighth at 389.
While Montgomery Academy was in position to win the team competition after day one, its top player was also in line to defend his individual state title from a year ago. Hunter Hamrick shot a three-over-par 75 to lead all players and had a two-stroke lead over McClain Leberte of Randolph. Leberte finished day one at five-over-par 77. Chad Edgil of Carbon Hill and Reid Merritt of Slocomb were tied for third at 80, five strokes back of the lead.
After back-to-back third place finishes the past two seasons, T.R. Miller senior Tripp Owens' bid to win the individual title took a big hit. Owens was in a three-way tie for 13th place with a 13-over-par 85, 10 strokes back of Hamrick.
James Dixon had the next best score for the Tigers on day one with an 86, just one shot back of Owens and a tie for 16th place. Hayes Martin fired a round of 88 and was tied for 18th place. Clay Parker was the final counter with a score of 100 and stood in 40th place.
Brooks Fussell rounded out T.R. Miller's entry list with a round of 104 and was tied for 43rd place.
The second and final day of the tournament was Tuesday.