Emory, Lynch qualify for state 1A golf tournament

The long, narrow golf course that is Mountain Harbour Golf Club in Hayesville provided quite a test to competitors in Tuesday’s 1A West Regional.

Polk County’s Carson Emory and Hunter Lynch, though, proved up to the challenge.

Emory and Lynch each qualified for next week’s state 1A tournament with their regional showing. Emory posted an 84 and Lynch an 86 as each finished among the top six individuals not on a qualifying team.

The two will now get the opportunity to play Pinehurst No. 6, site of the state 1A tournament, on Monday and Tuesday. Rounds will begin each day at 7:30 a.m.

“Both played well,” said Polk County head coach Pat McCool. “I’m really proud of them. We had a game plan and both players stuck to it and it really worked.”

McCool said the Hayesville course played at around 6,500 yards, with tight fairways. “I bet they each walked about 20,000 steps,” he said.

Mitchell won the regional title, posting a team score of 374 to defeat Highland Tech by eight strokes and Highlands by 12 shots.

Addison Beam of Highland Tech fired a 72 to claim medalist honors, with Thomas Jefferson’s Pierce Robinson finishing as the runner-up with a 75.

Now Emory and Lynch will turn their attention to the trip to Pinehurst, where they will tackle the No. 6 course designed by the legendary course architect Tom Fazio.

“We’ve played in the Pinehurst area before, but this year it’s a really big treat to get to play on one of the actual Pinehurst courses,” McCool said.