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Hours before last week’s JCHS graduation, Keegan Goins finished in the top 10 at the GHSA state tournament. BRAD HARRISON/Staff
Hours before last week’s JCHS graduation, Keegan Goins finished in the top 10 at the GHSA state tournament. BRAD HARRISON/Staff -
Keegan Goins is congratulated by JCHS principal Lance Rackley at graduation. BRAD HARRISON/Staff
Keegan Goins is congratulated by JCHS principal Lance Rackley at graduation. BRAD HARRISON/Staff
Keegan Goins began last Tuesday by teeing off in her final round as a Lady Greyhound at the state tournament, helping Jones County to an overall finish of eighth in the state.
A few hours later, after crisscrossing the state, she walked across the stage at the JCHS graduation ceremony at the Centennial Center on the campus of Georgia College & State University. Goins wasn’t the only Lady Greyhound rushing back – junior Kimber Kent also had to get back in time for the 6:30 p.m. ceremony as she had been voted by her classmates as one of the event’s marshals.
With the help of multiple individuals, Goins was able to walk across the stage to cap a whirlwind day, even if that was not the plan a few weeks ago, when Lady Greyhounds head golf coach Lance Pittman pointed out that should Jones County advance to the two-day state tournament in Calhoun, that it would fall on the same day as graduation.
“Her first words were, ‘I’m not playing in the tournament if I have miss graduation,’” Pittman recalls.
That’s when others from JCHS stepped in, starting with Jones County Athletic Director Chad Alligood working with GHSA officials to line up an earlier tee time for Tuesday’s final round.
That’s not to say the two days were seamless for Goins and Kent, who both missed graduation practice since that took place during the state tournament, as well. Both had to compartmentalize playing in a state tournament with a drive back to middle Georgia looming.
“We talked to them before the round on Tuesday,” Pittman said. “I said, ‘I know it’ll be on your mind.’ We tried to take as much stress out of it as possible.”
Thanks to being among the first golfers on the course Tuesday, both wrapped up their round around 2 p.m., making the roughly three-hour drive back.
There was a bit of peace of mind after seeing what time Monday’s first round came to a close.
“Coming in, they were a bit concerned, but after seeing what time they finished in the first round, that put things at ease,” Pittman said.
Once the round ended, it was time to head back. In fact, as the final scores were being validated, the parents of both were already loading things into the car, helping them to get on the road for the nearly 180-mile drive home with Pittman staying behind for not only the remaining Lady Greyhound contingent to wrap up but also address any questions about their round from officials.
“We’re so proud of how both of them played,” Pittman said.
