Snedeker outduels Gallant for Division II title;
Hallman blitzes field for girls championship

COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Montgomery Bell Academy junior Brandt Snedeker rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff to edge Father Ryan's Matt Gallant in winnning the boys championship in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Division II State Golf Tournament Tuesday at Graymere Country Club.

Elizabeth Hallman of The Baylor School captured the girls championship with an 11-stroke victory margin over runner-up Joni Gossett of St. Mary's. Christian Brothers of Memphis won the boys team title with a composite 598, 18 strokes ahead of runner-up MBA. The Baylor School posted a 338 team score for the girls championship, finishing 15 strokes ahead of St. Mary's Episcopal.

Snedeker fired a 4-under par 68 yesterday, tying Gallant for first place at the end of regulation at 2-under 142. First-round co-leader Noble Judy of MBA shot a 73_145 yesterday, taking third place. Patrick Watermeier of Christian Brothers, who was tied with Judy for the 18-hole lead with a 72, finished fourth at 146.

In winning the first tournament in Division II, the new class for schools who give need-based financial aid, Snedeker upheld a family tradition. His older brother Haymes won the Class AAA championship in 1993.
I'd played well in the first round on Monday, but I couldn't get putts to fall,'' said Snedeker, who entered the tournament at the Middle Tennessee Region medalist. "I didn't make that many putts in the playoff, but I was finally able to get one to go.''

Hallman, the first-round leader, struggled midway through her round with five straight bogeys, but was a decisive winner by shooting an 8-over 79, the best girls round of the tournament, on Tuesday. The Baylor senior had only one birdie on the day, sinking a 12-foot putt on her final hole. "My driver was just going everywhere,'' Hallman said. "I kept trying and it came back around." The team championship was Christian Brothers sixth while Baylor's win was its third state title in as many years.