Although the Forrest Lady Rockets finished in fifth place at the Region 6 Tournament at Lawrenceburg on Monday and did not qualify for the state tournament, junior Sara Browning made it through in the individual portion of the event.

“It definitely is a great feeling, but all the credit goes to Sara Browning and her family,” Forrest coach Andy Burkett said. “Sara has an impeccable work ethic and that funnels down from her parents, Rob and Mary-Virginia Browning.”

Browning shot 82 to earn the fourth medalist spot and a berth in the Small Class Girls' Championship at the WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester.

“The fact that she gets to play as a junior will be an awesome catapult for her going into her summer circuit and into summer practice and will really be an awesome motivator for her for the entirety of her senior year,” Burkett said. “I know she's really excited to have this experience and we are excited for her.”

Browning will tee off at 10 a.m. for first round play on Tuesday and will be paired with Bailey Gilbert (Hickman County), Ashley Portera (Signal Mountain), and Community’s Hannah Goodwin.

“Sara has displayed a competitive prowess all year, and I expect her to take that same determination into the state tournament,” Burkett said. “From her accuracy off the tee, to the sharpness of her iron play, and her soft touch around the greens with her chipping and putting, Sara has the game to make some noise at the state tournament.”

The girls started on the back nine at Lawrenceburg and Browning shot 43 before turning it on with a solid 39 on the front nine, including a birdie on the Par 5, 8th hole to secure her spot at the state tournament.

“Shooting that 39 down the stretch was some incredibly clutch golf on Sara's part, just another testament to her skill set she has displayed all year,” Burkett said. “After seeing some of the scores that were rolling in, we knew she needed to be at 83 or better to have a legitimate chance, so when she tapped in for 82 we knew she had secured a spot.”

Browning becomes only the second Forrest lady golfer to earn a spot at the state tournament as Leigh Beasley made three consecutive appearances from 2001-2003.

“Sara has been our rock all year long, by far our most dependable player, so seeing her accomplish a feat that only one other girl (Leah Beasley Cook) has accomplished in school history was remarkable,” Burkett said. “I was so glad to be a small part of it, but most importantly, I am very proud of seeing Sara accomplish her goals and I'm super excited to see what the future holds for her.”

Browning has played WillowBrook in the past and will go play a practice round at the course, while also honing her game on Forrest’s home course at Henry Horton.

“She has shot multiple rounds in the 30's this year, and she knows that's what it will take to compete for a medal spot at this level in competitive golf,” Burkett said. “Her biggest strength is that she never gives up, as displayed by her resiliency during the regional championship.”

“She will be prepared and she is definitely looking forward to the opportunity to represent Forrest School.”

Carissa Curtis shot 103 and senior Micah Toombs finished up her Forrest career with a 106 at Lawrenceburg.

Summertown shot 150 to win the team portion of the region tournament and earned a berth at the state tournament. Hickman County (174) was second, Lewis County (175) third, Perry County (178) finished fourth, followed by Forrest (185) in fifth, and Cascade (218) in sixth place.

Summertown’s Kaley Campbell was low medalist as she fired a one-under par 70.

The Cornersville Lady Bulldogs participated in the individual portion of the event with Chelsea Coble shooting 97, Braylin Powers 107, and Kaitlin Garner 116.

The Forrest boys also finished in fifth place, shooting a team score of 396.

Hunter Ferguson led the Rockets with a 92, Grayson Whaley carded a 93, Carter Jones shot a 102, Connor Lewis had a 106, and Brett Burnham came to the clubhouse in 108 strokes.

The Cascade Champions followed their blowout win at the district tournament with another one as they outpaced the field by 71 strokes.

The Champions shot a team score of 298 with low medalist Evan Woosley-Reed firing a six-under par round of 65.

Eagleville (369) finished second and Bobby Snell earned a berth in the individual portion of the state tournament as he came home in 75 strokes at Lawrenceburg.

Perry County (375) was third, Fayetteville fourth (376), Forrest fifth (396), and the Cornersville Bulldogs finished sixth at 402.

Graham Duke shot a 97 to lead the Bulldogs, while Tyler Wolaver had an even 100, Joseph Mulliniks carded a 101, Raymond Cooksey came to the clubhouse in 104 strokes, and Tilden Jackson shot 111.

“It was an outstanding season for both our boys and girls teams and I'm really glad that some of our younger players were able to get the experience of playing in the region tournament,” Burkett said. “It is hard to duplicate or simulate the feeling of postseason atmosphere, so I think that will only benefit our team for the future.”

“As for my seniors (Grayson Whaley, Brett Burnham, Micah Toombs, and Leah Dunn), you couldn't ask for a better group of leaders. They set the tone every practice and every match and I will sincerely miss all of them.”