You are 565 yards away, wind is blowing 20 mph from right to left and you are trying to hit a ball into a two-inch hole. Golf is not necessarily a game of strength, but a game of skill requiring hours upon hours of mundane practice all year long to achieve the level of skill required to compete at the highest level. Bryson O’Malley (Senior) and Bishop Stringer (Sophomore) have made that commitment over the past five years and have both received the highest golf honor bestowed by the AISA, making the State Golf All-Tournament Team. Six players are chosen from the state of Alabama and Macon East Academy has two of them! Bryson finished his final high school tournament in 5th place shooting 77 on day 1 and rallying with an amazing 68 on day 2. Bishop, with a 71 on day 1 and 76 on day 2, finished State in the 6th position.
This year was a great season for Bryson and Bishop. Between them they had one victory, Bishop Stringer at Greenville Country Club, with Bryson finishing in second place. Bryson finished the year without a tournament outside of a top 10 finish and had a startling 6 second place finishes! Besides his victory at the Fort Dale Tournament, Bishop finished in the top 10 in all but two tournaments! Bishop, is by far the best young golfer in the AISA and the favorite going into next year’s season.
“I’m so proud of the individual effort these two boys displayed over the past few years. Hours of individual practice and a commitment to be the best. However, I’m even more proud of their academic standing, all while missing countless hours of class! Our golf team owes a special thanks to all the teachers who work with our boys before and after school to keep them caught up. Without their support and willingness to go above and beyond for us, we would not be able to compete in as many tournaments as we do. Thanks to all of you!” Coach Mike O’Malley said. “Macon East should be proud of their accomplishments. One third of the All State Team is from Macon East Academy and 100% of our golf team made All State! Not bad at all.”
This was Bryson’s second year making the AISA All State Tournament Team and Bishop’s first. The two will continue to compete in tournaments this summer throughout the southeastern United States. Bryson has been recruited by over 30 universities to play golf the next four years but has chosen to attend Ole Miss on an academic scholarship and continue his junior career through other means. “I had a choice to make, play golf or go to school where I wanted to go. My education trumped my love for the game, however I may try and walk on at Ole Miss. Who knows?” Bryson said. “I can’t wait to see what Bishop does! He is one of my closest friends and he can play! Sky is the limit for him!”
In a game that requires participants to call penalties on themselves, Macon East should take pride in knowing Bryson and Bishop represented our core values as a school first and competed at the highest level second. Congratulations on a great year!
