A busy summer looks like it is only going to get busier for Bulloch Academy junior Grant Odom. Odom has been playing in a variety of golf tournaments this summer and Wednesday afternoon he fired a 4-under 68 and pulled off a huge win at the 60th Annual GSGA Georgia Junior Championship in Valdosta which added a few prestigious tournaments to his calendar.
Odom’s victory came in dramatic fashion as he trailed Richmond Hill’s Ledger Conley by one stroke going into the final hole. Short-sided and about 15 feet from the hole Odom chipped in to send things into a playoff. In the third hole of the playoff Ledger nearly made a 23-foot birdie putt on the 157-yard par 3, but the putt lipped out and he had to settle for par. Odom was able to sink a 12-foot birdie and captured the biggest tournament of his life.
"On 18 he had a pretty simple up-and-down and I knew I was one down at the time so I kind of figured I had to make it,” Odom said. “I was honestly pretty short sided, but it was just right there in front and breaking a little left. I didn't love the way the flag was leaning so I got Trace Carter, who was playing our group to attend it for me. I chipped and it probably landed a foot on the green and just kind of checked and then trickled in.”
“I fist pumped and it was so exciting,” Odom added. “I had to settle down from there though for the playoff. We both had pars on the first two holes and then we came to the island hole number 13. He was about 23 feet away and I was about 12 feet out. I thought he made it but it just lipped out. I was able to make the putt for birdie and it was a great feeling.”
Odom has had some ups and downs this summer but was able to string together three nice rounds this week including a course record tying 67 on Tuesday and a 68 on Wednesday.
“I've come close couple times and put myself in the right positions but it was huge to finally get it done,” Odom said. “It gives me a lot of confidence just to know that I was able to do it.”
With the win Odom secures himself of a spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas Texas July 21-26. He also qualified for the Georgia Open which will be held July 31- Aug. 3 in Dalton. In addition, he has qualified for the Kiltie Cup which pits some of the top juniors in the U.S. against some of the top players from Scotland July 27 and 28 at Eastlake Golf Club in Atlanta.
