Central Georgia Sports ReportJune 28, 2022Comment

Tuesday's Report: Bacon roll, golf staple Hickman dies, former Northside player shot; Braves, Hawks, UGA, Banana-ball; NBA, MLB, NHL, colleges, NFL, more

Central Georgia Sports ReportJune 28, 2022Comment

Monday's Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.

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Coastal Plain

Macon 10, Wilmington 1

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Around/About Central Georgia

Longtime Macon golf staple Hickman died

Jim Hickman, who spent nearly 50 years teaching and promoting and organizing golf in Macon and Central Georgia, died on June 14.

Hickman was 73, and suffered from complications following routine surgery last month. Hart’s Mortuary is in charge of arrangements, and no services have been announced. The obituary was published and posted on June 22.

Hickman grew up in Paden City, W.Va., and was a multi-sport high school athlete as well as band member. He graduated from West Liberty University in 1971 and played on two NAIA national golf teams.

He moved to Macon a few years later as assistant PGA pro at River North, and then was the head pro from 1976-1989. Along the way, he helped start a tournament sponsored by Paul and Joyce Walsh – of Walsh Honda and Nissan in Macon – that became part of the Ben Hogan Tour, a precursor to the Nationwide Tour.

Among the players visiting Macon for the tournament: Larry Nelson, John Daly, Jim Dent, Scott and Gary Hoch, among others.

Hickman moved to Bowden Golf Course in 1989, and worked to diversify golf while improve the public course.

He received scores of humanitarian awards for his work, much involving junior golfers as well as tournaments that benefited charities. He was inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, with another longtime local pro Ray Cutright.

Former Northside football player fatally shot

The Northside football community is mourning the death Sunday night of former player Jontel Williams.

Williams was found shot on the side of the street on Thomas Blvd. in Warner Robins, in a neighborhood between Green Street and Watson Blvd. off of North Davis Dr., less than a mile from Northside.

Warner Robins police responded to a call at 6:45 p.m. Sunday of a person shot, and arrived to find the 17-year-old lying along the road. He was transported to Houston Medical Center and then to Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, dying Monday morning.

Williams played in 11 games as a senior in 2021, according to information posted on Maxpreps, with 27 total tackles, an interception, and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown.

The incident is under investigation, and anyone with information should contact Det. Trent VanLannen at 302-5380 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-682-7463 (68CRIME).

Bacon roll over Wilmington

A five-run second propelled Macon to a 10-1 romp over Wilmington at Luther Williams.

Kyle Bork and Jack Malone each had two hits for Macon, while Tyler Martin and Holden Breeze had two RBI, as did Bork.

Three pitchers, including FPD grad Austin Emener, teamed for 12 strikeouts and only three walks in the seven-hitter for Macon.

The Bacon visit Savannah on Tuesday and Forest City on Thursday, returning home to welcome the Bananas on Friday.

Around/About Georgia/Southeast

Acuna leads Braves in the All-Star Game voting mix

Strider proving he belongs in rotation

Hawks interested in Deandre Ayton?

UGA QB has loads of depth

Smart talks about 2021 and 2022

Banana-ball keeps getting attention