Gwinnett Daily Post

Boys

Name: Zach Healy

School: Norcross

Class: 2014

Favorite athlete: Tiger Woods

Favorite movie: "Fast 5"

Favorite music artist: Everyone

Noteworthy:

-- Committed to Georgia for golf over Georgia Tech, Auburn and UCF

-- Low 9 hole score of 29

-- Won the prestigious East Coast Golf Week Invitational in 2012

Home course: Berkeley Hills Country Club

My favorite shot to hit in a round: Bombing my driver with a high draw.

Coach Chris Hall's take: "Zach's golf game is explosive and fun to watch. He is capable of going extremely low at any time on any course. He's a tremendously talented golfer who has an impressive Junior Golf resume and experience."

Name: Jason Mendel

School: Norcross

Class: Senior

Favorite athlete: Tiger Woods

Favorite movie: "Step Brothers"

Favorite music artist: Luke Bryan

Noteworthy:

-- Finished 5th in AJGA at Jones Creek in 2012

-- Signed to play with the University of South Alabama

-- Low medalist 3 straight years for Norcross

Home course: The Standard Club

My favorite shot to hit in a round: Low cut

Coach Chris Hall's take: "Jason has been the most solid performer for the past three years and his leadership abilities are phenomenal. Jason takes pride in his game and works at and I would describe him as more of a craftsman who is going to shoot a good score every time he goes out to play."

Name: Dylan Pence

School: Mill Creek

Class: Senior

Favorite athlete: Bubba Watson

Favorite movie: "Grown Ups"

Favorite music artist: U2

Noteworthy:

-- Two-time member of Canongate's Nike Cup team

-- Junior Club Champion at Hamilton Mill

-- Member of Region 7-AAAAA champions

Home course: Hamilton Mill

My favorite shot to hit in a round: Stinger 4 iron

Coach Ben Hanes' take: "Dylan has really grown into not only a terrific golfer but a good leader. He wants to be a part of the process of running the logistics of the team, not just showing up, playing, and leaving. His maturity and willingness to work with the other players and to help organize has been a wonderful asset. These skills will serve him well as he prepares to play at the next level."

Name: Zach Pritchard

School: Peachtree Ridge

Class: Senior

Favorite athlete: Dustin Johnson

Favorite movie: "A Few Good Men"

Favorite music artist: Luke Bryan

Noteworthy:

-- Committed to play golf at BYU

-- Eagle Scout

-- 2012 State Individual qualifier

Home course: TPC Sugarloaf

My favorite shot to hit in a round: Tee shot with a high draw

Coach Bert Green's take: "Zach is an outstanding young man. He has been a vital member of our golf team for 4 years. It has been a true pleasure watching him grow physically into a fantastic golfer but also watching him grow as a young man. I am extremely proud of him. He has worked very hard to become terrific golfer and also the unquestioned leader of this team."

Name: Cody Solomon

School: Wesleyan

Class: Senior

Favorite athlete: Jason Dufner

Favorite movie: 'The Shawshank Redemption"

Favorite music artist: Dave Matthews Band

Noteworthy:

-- 2012 Daily Post player of the year

-- Finish fourth in State Class A State Championship

-- Fifteenth at 2012 AJGA at River Landing, 16th at AJGA E-Z GO Vaughn Taylor Championship

-- Second at 2012 SJGT at Furman and SJGT at Callaway Gardens

Home course: Atlanta Athletic Club

My favorite shot to hit in a round: 90-yard wedge

Coach Andy Free's take: "Cody demands excellence from himself on a daily basis. He has an amazing work ethic that will benefit him as a collegiate golfer and certainly in life. Not only is Cody an outstanding player, but he is a top student, well-spoken leader and an excellent role model. I really look forward to the positive impact he will have on and off the course this season."

Name: Bailey Ulp

School: North Gwinnett

Class: Junior

Favorite athlete: Bubba Watson

Favorite movie: "The Legend of Bagger Vance"

Favorite music artist: Lee Brice

Noteworthy:

-- Grand Championship Winner for Atlanta Junior Golf

-- Low round of 34 in 9 hole match last year

Home course: Royal Lakes

My favorite shot to hit in a round: Stinger hybrid

Coach John Payne's take: "Bailey loves the game of golf and the values the game promotes. He has been a fierce competitor since joining the team and is continuing to get better."

Girls

Name: Taylor Allen

School: Brookwood

Class: Senior

Favorite athlete: Drew Brees

Favorite movie: "Facing the Giants"

Favorite music artist: Brantley Gilbert

Noteworthy:

-- Valedictorian of Brookwood Class of 2013

-- Three time Region 8-AAAAA low medalist

-- Committed to play golf at University of North Georgia

Home course: Summit Chase Country Club

My favorite shot to hit in a round: 55-70 yard sandwedge, I'm deadly from anywhere in that range!

Coach Steve Thompson's take: "Taylor is a great player and she is even a better young lady and role model for our school community and golf program."

Name: Reece Brooks

School: Hebron Christian Academy

Class: Junior

Favorite athlete: Fred Couples

Favorite movie: "Shooter"

Favorite music artist: Jason Aldean

Noteworthy:

-- 2012 All-Region

-- Member of twice 8-A region Champion team

-- Member of 2012 Nike Team

Home course: Chimneys

My favorite shot to hit in a round: A driver off the tee box because it either makes or breaks the hole.

Coach Craig Collins' take: "Reece loves to compete on the golf course. She has been a leader on and off the golf course and continues to improve on the fundamentals of the game. Reece's work ethic is a model for our team. Her commitment level and dedication to golf inspires those around her to get better."

Name: Kiersten Nowell

School: Dacula

Class: Junior

Favorite athlete: Phil Mickelson

Favorite movie: "The Guardian"

Favorite music artist: John Mayer

Noteworthy:

-- Champion Atlanta Jr. Golf Championship

-- GDP Super Six 2012

-- State Qualifier as Low Medalist 2011

Home course: Hamilton Mill

My favorite shot to hit in a round: My 7 iron, because it is an easy shot into the green.

Coach Vern Wells' take: "Kiersten is in her third year playing golf at Dacula High. She worked hard during the summer and fall to be ready for this season. We are expecting Kiersten will be at top form over the next couple of months, especially as we approach the Region 8-AAAAAA tournament in April."

Name: Katie Plummer

School: Mill Creek

Class: Senior

Favorite athlete: Graeme McDowell

Favorite movie: "Pride and Prejudice"

Favorite music artist: Adele

Noteworthy:

-- Low medalist at 2012 5-A region 7 tournament

-- Top 5 finisher at 2012 5-A state tournament

-- Captain of the girls golf team past two years

Home course: Hamilton Mill golf course

My favorite shot to hit in a round: A clutch putt

Coach Ben Hanes' take: "Katie's golf skills and leadership ability have increased to higher and higher levels each year. Not only is she the top player on the team and one of the better players in the state, but she also wants to work with and help the other girls so the team can excel. She is willing to talk and organize and do whatever she can to not only be a great player but a person the other girls can depend on as a leader."

Name: Julie Spangler

Class: Senior

School: Grayson

Favorite athlete: Shawn Johnson

Favorite movie: "It's a Wonderful Life"

Favorite music artist: Tim McGraw

Noteworthy:

-- Named first team all region sophomore and junior year.

-- Was the runner up for the Atlanta Junior Golf girls' club division in Summer 2011.

-- Holds the school record for 9 holes (39) and has been team MVP twice.

Home course: Summit Chase Country Club

Favorite shot to hit: Anything with a utility wedge.

Coach Lenny Gregory's take: "Julie is the best overall student athlete I have ever been around. She is the perfect combination of athletic ability, character, and academic performance. I have enjoyed coaching Julie and watching her maintain her number one class rank at Grayson. The fact that she is the top ranked student and competes in athletics is an example that a student can balance athletics and academics. Julie has a bright future and will excel in

whatever she decides to do."

Name: Bailey Tardy

School: Greater Atlanta Christian

Class: Sophomore

Favorite athlete: Chan Reeves

Favorite movie: "Remember the Titans"

Favorite music artist: Florida-Georgia Line

Noteworthy:

-- Committed to UGA for the class of 2015

-- Qualified for the US Junior Amateur and made match play

-- Won 2 AJGA events

Home course: Atlanta Athletic Club

My favorite shot to hit in a round: Going for par 5's in 2

Coach Gary Richey's take: "Since last year was my first year back as the GACS coach, I didn't know what to expect from Bailey, She proved to be special from the first swing on the range. She was our rock last year, leading us to the state title. What strikes me most about Bailey is her intense competitive nature. She came off the East Lake Course steaming because she had shot a 75 with five birdies. I love that about her."