By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

HOOVER — Michael Johnson tossed the ball up and down in his right hand while engaging in a friendly chat with Tom Lovelady of Mountain Brook as the group momentarily waited to tee off on the final hole of the Bradley Johnson Memorial golf tournament March 29 on the Founder’s Course at Greystone Golf and Country Club.

It was a snapshot in time of what the tournament in his brother’s name is all about.

One day Johnson, a senior at Spain Park High School, may forget what he shot in the tournament, but he won’t forget the round with his friends on this dreary day on the course.

“I’ll never forget playing in tournaments like this,” said Johnson, who has played in all five Memorial tournaments in honor of his brother Bradley, who died in a car accident in Shelby County in 2006.

Johnson will likely remember his final hole in the tournament, where his approach shot to the green bounced off a couple of spectators before he dropped a chip shot a few feet from the hole on the 18th green.

Johnson then made the final putt in the tournament to secure a 3-under par 69 in the final round, which handed him fourth place in individual standings and helped the host Jaguars capture their third Memorial tournament championship in five years.

“It feels good,” Johnson said. “We played really well.”

The Jaguars carded a team total of 33-over par 609, which edged rival Hoover by two strokes.

Johnson led Spain Park, the three-time defending Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A champions, with a two-round total of 2-over par 144. Johnson shot a 5-over par 77 in the first round March 28.

Robby Prater, the defending AHSAA Class 6A individual champion, followed with a 7-over par 151. Prater finished with a 78 in the first round and a 1-over par 73 in the final round.

Vasili Kartos carded a total of 11-over par 155 in the tournament. Dino Schroder rounded out the group of Spain Park golfers with his 13-over par 157.

Briarwood Christian School finished 10th in team standings with a team total of 646 strokes.

Connor Smith led the Lions as he finished with a two-day total of 9-over par 153. Smith, who shot a 4-over par 76 in the first round, ended the tournament with a 5-over par 77 in the final round.

Trevor Page carded a two-day total of 163. John Hayden and Brent Gilbert each fired a two-round score of 165.

Oak Mountain finished in a two-way tie for 17th in team standings after carding a team total of 680 strokes.

Clay Nolen led the Eagles with his two-day total of 10-over par 154. Nolen, who shot a 9-over par 81 in the first round, improved his total by eight strokes and carded a 1-over par 73 in the final round.

Zac Goozee carded a two-day total of 172 strokes. Tyler Edge followed with his two-round total of 176 strokes. Scott McKnight rounded out the group of Oak Mountain golfers with his two-day score of 178 strokes.