News Summary

The Lambert High School girls’ golf team, known as the Longhorns, is striving to achieve four state championships as four seniors prepare to graduate. Under the guidance of Coach Shane Fortenberry, they have previously secured ten championships in 12 years and are focused on continuing their legacy. With impressive players, including Athena Yoo at No. 61 in national rankings, and Zoe Duval at No. 202, they look to claim victory at the upcoming Class 6A championship. Their inspiring journey represents not just a quest for titles, but for history.

Lambert High School Golf Team Eyeing Four State Championships!

In the charming city of Suwanee, the energy is palpable at Lambert High School as the girls’ golf team, affectionately known as the Longhorns, sets its sights on an incredible achievement. Four determined seniors are on a journey that could see them graduate adorned with four state championship rings, marking a remarkable feat in Georgia high school sports. The Longhorns, led by their dedicated coach Shane Fortenberry, have dominated the landscape of high school golf, clinching a total of 10 state championships in the last 12 years.

Dominance with a Slight Detour

It’s hard to believe that the only blips on this team’s championship radar were in 2018, when they finished third, and in 2020, when the unforgiving pandemic caused all spring sports to be canceled. However, they have not let adversity slow them down. The Longhorns have proudly held the title of area champions for 14 consecutive years and recently added national champion titles in both 2021 and 2022 to their trophy case. What a journey it has been!

A Trio of Talented Seniors

This year is particularly special for Coach Fortenberry as he finds himself mentoring not one, not two, but four seniors—Athena Yoo, Zoe Duval, McKinley Proctor, and Swadha Surange—who all began their high school careers as freshmen, dreaming of championship glory. The coach describes this journey with the girls as “an enjoyable ride”, and his hopes are high for a grand slam of championships.

Out of the four seniors, Athena Yoo and Zoe Duval stand out as two of the top players in the state. With her impressive performances, Athena is currently perched at a commendable No. 61 in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings. A star in her own right, Athena boasts two wins in 2024, and she has already signed with UCLA!

Athena’s Highlights

Athena’s list of achievements is nothing short of remarkable. She triumphed in the 2023 PGA Girls High School National Invitational, completing her final hole with a breathtaking 60-foot chip-in. Moreover, she earned the title of the GHSA’s Class 7A individual champion in 2024 and tied for fifth at the 2024 Georgia Women’s Amateur Championship. Adding to her portfolio, she also secured a sixth-place finish at the 2024 Georgia Junior Girls’ Championship!

More on Zoe Duval

Not to be outdone, Zoe Duval holds the No. 202 spot in the AJGA rankings, and has proudly signed with Appalachian State. Her journey has been equally impressive, as she finished 23rd at the 2024 Georgia Junior Girls’ Championship and claimed 13th at the Georgia PGA Junior Championship. Zoe also made a splash this season with three top-10 finishes on the American Junior Golf Tour in 2024!

Complementing Talented Seniors

Joining Athena and Zoe are the rising stars McKinley Proctor and Swadha Surange. While McKinley continually improves on the greens, Swadha maintains a stellar straight-A academic record, consistently performing in the mid-80s at tournaments. This year, they also welcomed freshman Grace Lee, who is making waves with her impressive scores in the low 70s. Grace recently earned the title of runner-up in several tournaments and even grabbed the crown at the GSGA Girls High School Invitational at Chapel Hills Golf Course, finishing with an outstanding 3-under 69!

Building Towards Championship Weekend

As the Longhorns prepare for the upcoming Class 6A championship at Kinderlou Forest in Valdosta on May 19-20, the camaraderie and competitive spirit are at an all-time high. They secured another victory at the GSGA tournament, defeating the elite Rivers Academy by six shots. Zoe had her moment too, shooting a 72 in her first round and finishing seventh. The excitement is bubbling as the girls gear up for what could be a historic finish to their high school career!

As graduation approaches, these remarkable young athletes are not just aiming for success; they are on the brink of etching their names in the history books. With a season like this, who wouldn’t want to sport a championship ring? We can’t wait to see how this thrilling journey unfolds!

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