Thanks in large part to a 69 by Beck Troutman, Parklane Academy of McComb won the 2000 ACCS Invitational Tournament Monday at the Duncan Park golf course by 25 shots over the nearest competitors.

Lee Rhodus shot a 79, Cal Haskins an 83 and Jesse Smith an 84 for Parklane.

This year’s tournament field was the largest ever – 16 teams and 100 players.

The weather was also a big factor in the tournament, as strong thunderstorms early Monday morning that could have easily cancelled the event.

&uot;The weather was a big concern. But Duncan Park is a well-maintained course,&uot; said ACCS golf coach Bo Swilley. &uot;I was up all (Sunday) night and Monday morning watching the local stations. Then by 6 a.m. they said it was going to clear up.&uot;

Swilley complimented Duncan Park golf pro Marvin Gray and his staff for getting the course ready for the tournament.

&uot;Marvin took over this thing,&uot; he said. &uot;He and his grounds crew did a great job getting this course ready.&uot;

Thankfully, the weather did indeed clear up in time for the tournament to go on, with the main problem being a strong northwest wind during the late morning and early afternoon.

Troutman’s 69 earned him medalist honors. Craig Smith of Brookhaven Academy and Cole Williams of Tallulah Academy, tied for second with each finishing with a 71.

Prentiss Christian, led by Justin Douglas’s 82, came in second place with a 340.

Tallulah Academy, led by a Williams, came in third place with a 347.

Brookhaven Acadamy, led by Smith’s 71, finished in fourth place with a 354.

ACCS came in a respectable fifth place with a score of 356.

Daniel Loyd and Jonathon Halley each had an 86.

Will Hinson added an 89, while Trey Isbell fired a 95.

&uot;The best thing is that we’re consistently knocking down a few strokes off in each tournament,&uot; Swilley said. &uot;We had a couple of high scores, but overall the scores are getting lower.&uot;

Central Private of Baton Rouge came in sixth with a 358. Copiah Academy and Huntington tied for seventh with a 377.

Silliman came in ninth with a 379. Franklin Academy was 10th with a 381.

Huntington was led by Noah Wilson with a 78, while Dannie Barlow fired a 96 and Cody Turnage 99. Chamberlain Hunt finished 11th with a 390, WCCA 12th with a 393, Trinity 13th with a 419, Amite School Center 14th with a 424.

Briarfield Academy came 15th with a 426, and Pine Hills was in 16th place after firing a 431.

Trinity was led by Lee Jones with an 88, while Charlie Daniels fired a 103.

Another group of people Swilley acknowledged were the coaches from all of the participating teams.

&uot;I also like to thank the coaches who rode here with each team to help keep scores and to help with the rules.&uot;