North Fulton Today

Georgia Tech junior Connor Howe came in ninth place at the Patriot All-America Amateur Championship last year, but this year he turned things around with a record-setting back nine on the final day to take the title with a 9-under-par score of 63.

Howe came from behind to take the 3-stroke victory, Georgia Tech reported in a release. This is the second time in three years that a Yellow Jacket has claimed the title, with the last being Noah Norton in 2019.

"I didn't know where I stood with the rest of the field coming up 18, so I just wanted to give myself a good look and not make any big numbers, and that's what I did," Howe said in the release.

The big play of the tournament was on the 10th hole, where Howe recorded a 255-yard albatross, defined as being 3 under par, that put him at the top, Georgia Tech reported. He began the day in fourth place, two shots behind.

During the back nine, Howe was on fire, making five birdies to go along with his albatross, Georgia Tech reported. Howe finished at 28, 7 under par, on the back nine. This was the lowest score in nine holes in the history of the tournament.

For Howe, it was the second major amateur event victory, Georgia Tech reported. His other win came at the Southeastern Amateur in 2020.

The tournament is held in honor of soldiers who were either killed in action or wounded, Georgia Tech reported. It is a partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. Golfers are given a golf bag from Ping that includes the name of a soldier as well as a card with the soldier's story.