You can’t make this stuff up. The lethal combo of sisters Caroline and Catie Craig led the White County girls golf team to a third place finish at the 4A State Tournament. Catie, the younger sister, was low medalist with a 74, earning her an individual state title as just a freshman. Caroline, a junior and last year’s 4A State Champion, finished sixth with a 79. The sisters are both named BLITZ Golfer of the Year after splitting votes and tying in total points.

When we say you can’t make this stuff up, the way in which Catie Craig won her title was eerily similar – actually, it was exactly the same – as the way Caroline won hers last year. After leading the pack through one round of play, both Catie in 2018 and Caroline in 2017 were ready to hit the links for round two, but both times were prevented from doing so by rain.

The agonizing wait ended with the tournament being called after one round in both occasions, with round one results standing as finals. How many programs across the state can claim they have a pair of individual state champions? Maybe a few…but with Caroline returning for her senior year in 2019 and Catie just a rising sophomore, next year they might be the only team in the state that can claim that.

While Catie had the ultimate round, Caroline averaged a 73 throughout the season, while Catie was close with a 75. Catie was also the area runner-up with a 74. The Craigs are AWESOME at golf. In fact, Caroline has been verbally committed to UGA since before her sophomore year, and is ranked as the 7th-best golfer in the state of Georgia. Catie, sure to field her own offers pretty soon, is ranked 20th.

VOTING RESULTS

Our panel of 18 voters, made up of media reporters/broadcasters, former BLITZ players, former coaches and a couple of fans, submitted their Heisman-style ballots for the five finalists for the award:

HISTORY OF GOLFER OF THE YEAR

Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time sisters tied in voting for the award, as senior finalist this year Allison Horinek and her older sister Maddie did the same in 2016 for Union County. The Craigs make it back-to-back years that the award is with White County, as Caroline was Player of the Year last year also.

2018 – Caroline & Catie Craig – White County JR/FR
2017 – Caroline Craig – White County SO
2016 – Maddie & Allison Horinek – Union County JR/SO
2015 – Madison Caldwell – Dawson County SR
2014 – Madison Caldwell – Dawson County JR
2013 – Madison Caldwell – Dawson County SO
2012 – Cara Gowder – Banks County JR
2011 – Morgan Wood – Lumpkin County JR
2010 – Morgan Wood – Lumpkin County SO

LOOKING AHEAD – THE NEXT FAVORITE(S)

Well…both Craig girls are back next year and can only get better, so there’s that. Commerce finalist McKenzie McRee is also back for her senior year, so those three are the obvious choices. Looking through our full nominees list, however, shows there is a crop of young talent as well that could work their way into the conversation.