For a second straight season, Pearl Hughes is the BLITZ Golfer of the Year. It comes on the heels of winning the 3A State Championship with an incredible performance.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3A State Champion (148)
Region 6-AAA Runner-Up (81)

After carding an 81 at Region as the individual Runner-Up, Pearl Hughes was the lone representative for Dawson County at the State Championship. Once there, the junior posted a 4-under 148 final score, winning the individual title by two strokes. She had a 4-under on the back nine to finish off, including punching in an eagle on a par-5 at #16.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Pearl Hughes – 90 pts (17 1st-place votes)
2. Tenley Maney – 55 pts (1)
3. Maddie Kate Hall – 45.5 pts (2)
4. Maeve Hatcher – 24.5 pts
5. Charlotte Smith – 23.5 pts (1)
6. Madelyn Shirley – 13.5 pts

Voting included our 21-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

Hughes won in a landslide, though four different golfers claimed a top vote.

HISTORY OF GOLFER OF THE YEAR

• 2026 – Pearl Hughes – Dawson County JR
• 2025 – Pearl Hughes – Dawson County SO
• 2024 – Samantha Dewendt – Dawson County SR
• 2023 – Samantha Dewendt – Dawson County JR
• 2022 – Katie Grace Randall – Stephens County SR
• 2021 – Catie Craig – White County SR & Maggie Jackson – Tallulah Falls SR
• 2020 – Catie Craig – White County JR
• 2019 – Catie Craig – White County SO
• 2018 – Caroline Craig – White County JR & Catie Craig – White County FR
• 2017 – Caroline Craig – White County SO
• 2016 – Maddie Horinek – Union County JR & Ally Horinek – Union County 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

Hughes is the second straight Dawson County golfer and third overall to win it in back-to-back years, joining Samantha Dewendt (2023-24) and Madison Caldwell (2013-15). With Hughes’ win, Dawson County has now claimed the honors seven times, breaking a tie with White County’s six.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?

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