LOCAL GOLF: Elliott edges Marty for Cullman County Championship crown

Sylas Elliott followed a super-low 66 Saturday — highlighted by a hole-in-one on No. 16 — with a 70 on Sunday to win the 2014 Cullman County Golf Championship.

The Cullman High product’s 8-under total was just enough to hold off a 7-under showing by former Good Hope great Eli Marty (68-69). Elliott and Marty, set to make their Wallace State debuts at the Lions’ annual fall tourney Sept. 8-9 at Cullman Golf Course, were the only contenders to shoot sub-par scores on both days.

Some of Elliott’s best local play throughout his career has come during the summer. In addition to Sunday’s title, he’s won the Buck Shear Memorial Tournament, Elks Junior Championship and Alabama Junior Golf Association Open Championship (twice), not to mention several low-medalist accolades on the prep level.

Marty, a sweet-swinging lefty, exited the Raiders with the last three county tourney titles.

Dustin Sanders went lower than anyone Sunday with a 67 to sneak into third at 5 under. Will McDowell was the last in the Championship “A” Flight to dip into the red at 4 under. The top group was rounded out by J.J. Adams, even; Layne Rice and Zach Weaver, 2 over; and Tommy Byrd, 11 over.

Walker Gordon and Cooper Brown tied for first in the Championship “B” Flight at 2 over. Keith Drake and Darrick Fisher shared third at 3 over.

Mike Williamson was the man to beat in the final flight. His 9-over body of work bested Dan York by one stroke and Bob Kurtz by two.