While our golf teams at the Upper School level have been making local, state, and even national news, it appears that our Middle School program has its share of talent itself.

Sixth grader Lucas Tiliakos, a year-round golfer who has already placed third in a Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) tournament this year, recently competed at the GSGA Skills Championship for Pitch, Chip and Putt held at the FedEx Cup at East Lake Golf Club on Sunday, Sept. 5.

Lucas won first in the pitching category – he outdueled 11 other boys aged 11-13 in the finals with his winning pitch getting as close to the hole as possible without going in.

To be clear, he wasn’t allowed to simply show up at East Lake, stand in line and take his two pitches, but instead had to go through no less than seven qualifying rounds that took place between March and August.

It appears the talented Lucas will make the rich get richer as far as HIES golf – both the girls and boys have won state titles in the last three years while the girls were recently ranked nationally after taking the Georgia title last May.