On Wednesday afternoon, the KHSAA boy’s state golf tournament would begin, following a weather postponement on Monday. Schools from the first region were well represented at Hopkinsville Country Club, as many local athletes would participate in team and individual competition, hoping to qualify for a chance at a state title in Bowling Green next week.
In team competition, the McCracken County Mustangs were the only first region representative to advance, placing third behind Owensboro and Taylor County with a stroke total of 318, good for a score of +34.
“This is what we came up here to do, and I think we each would’ve loved to have played even better,” McCracken County head coach Chris Gregory said. “But at this point in time, it’s all about making sure we were a top three seed, and seeing what we can do when we get up to Bowling Green.”
Within the Mustangs’ team performance, Landon Hunt continued his excellent season, shooting an even round at 71 strokes, tying for first in individual competition with Greenwood’s Layton Richie.
“This is our second year in a row being able to qualify, I’d say it’s a pretty special feeling,” Hunt said on qualifying as a team and an individual. “I’m feeling good heading into next week, hopefully I’ll get a few more putts to drop, and I think we’ll be good.”
Helping Hunt with the Mustangs success was Brently Gregory and Jack Farmery both shooting 11-over-par, Dallas Vinson shooting 12-over-par and Tanner Kight shooting +14.
Falling just shy of team qualification were the Marshall County Marshals, finishing just three strokes behind the Mustangs. Ryan Stokes will represent the Marshals as an individual next week, as he qualified by shooting six over par with 77 total strokes.
Paducah Tilghman will send a pair of individuals to Bowling Green as well, with Peyton Toon taking eighth place with a score of +3, while Evan Hack also qualified, finishing joint-13th by shooting +7.
“It was tough out there today, pins were hard, greens were slick, but I thought I fought hard, was able to get the ball in the hole when I needed to and get a good score,” Toon said. “It’s awesome to move on, I take a lot of pride in representing Paducah Tilghman, and I’m really happy with where we’re at.”
Rounding out First Region qualifiers, Mayfield’s Rylan Crouch turned in an excellent performance, tying for fourth place by shooting two over par.
“I played really well and my game was pretty solid, I just had a few mistakes that cost me some strokes,” Crouch said. “I’m looking forward to going to state for the first time as a sophomore and I hope to represent the Mayfield School System the best I possibly can.”
The State Championship will finish with the final round of play will next Tuesday and Wednesday Bowling Green County Club.