By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
The golf team at Stanhope Elmore had several outstanding individual performers that advanced deep into the 2023 AHSAA Class 6A post-season tournaments, highlighted by senior Josiah Gilbert’s second place overall finish in the state tournament, the best finish ever for a golfer from SEHS. The impressive finish was one of several this season for Gilbert, who has accepted a scholarship to Auburn University and will compete collegiately this fall.
The Gilbert family, originally from Australia, moved to Alabama in November 2021. Gilbert and his two siblings, Judah and Shiloh, were born in Queensland but played golf the last seven years in Perth, Western Australia.
“I started playing golf in December 2016. My dad was the main person who inspired me to play the game,” said Gilbert.
During the season, the SEHS golf team won the Prattville Invitational and the Area tournament, with Gilbert winning the low medalist award, and his sister, 8th grader Shiloh Gilbert, placing second.
Post-season play started in the Sectionals, with the Stanhope Elmore team traveling to the RTJ Magnolia Grove course in Mobile. Gilbert shot a 67 and was tied with two other golfers for the low medalist award. He advanced to the next round of play – the Sub-State tournament – as did his brother Judah. The youngest Gilbert, Shiloh, shot a 72 and was the second lowest score for the Class 6A girls. Kara Busbin from SEHS also advanced to Sub-State with a 76.
The Class 6A South Substate tournament was held at the Legislator Course at RTJ in Prattville. The older, Auburn bound Gilbert, shot a 66 and was the low medalist, qualifying for the State Tournament. The other Mustang golfers had impressive finishes as well, with Shiloh Gilbert finishing with the second lowest score of Class 6A girls, qualifying her for the state tournament as well. Busbin finished tied for 6th, and Judah Gilbert finished tied for 12th out of 70.
The State tournament was held at the RTJ Grand National in Opelika, where Gilbert continued his impressive play. He finished tied for second place overall, the best finish for a SEHS golfer in the history of the program. Shiloh finished tied for 7th overall in the female division of the Class 6A state tournament.
Now that his high school career is over, Gilbert is looking forward to the opportunity to compete at Auburn.
“I chose Auburn University because I felt as though it was the best opportunity to develop and create the new skills I will need to compete in professional golf and make connections that will last well beyond college.”
Looking back on his time with SEHS, the Australia native has fond memories of the area.
“The Millbrook and SEHS community have supported me tremendously throughout my high school career in both basketball and golf.”
For now, Gilbert has set his goals on college and a professional career in golf.
“I will be studying communications during my time at Auburn, and I would like to make a living in professional golf.”
While a lot of young kids and high schoolers have the dream of playing professional sports, Gilbert has the talent and the opportunity to make that dream a reality.
