Forrest sophomore Gary Lukonen was the lone county golfer to qualify for the Class A/AA State Golf

Tournament and he earned some valuable experience over the two days of competition, shooting an 80 in Monday's first round before he slipped to an 85 on Tuesday.

"All in all, he did pretty good, he did not pack it in, like some of the kids," said first-year Forrest head coach

Jeremy Jean. "He has nothing to hang his head about. I really think he enjoyed this ride and I hope we can come back the next two years."

Scores

Lukonen's 165 total was 26 shots behind the eventual champion Grayson Davis from Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA), who defeated David Lipscomb Academy's Dawson Armstrong in a one-hole playoff.

Both Davis and Armstrong shot identical 70-69 over the two days at Willow Brook Golf Club in Manchester.

In team results, Alcoa was first with a 591, Sullivan South tallied 608, CPA was third with a 612, Lipscomb Academy shot 614, Notre Dame came to the clubhouse in 627 strokes, Boyd Buchanan was sixth with a 667, Milan finished seventh at 683, and Jackson Christian took eighth with a 736 Forrest sophomore

Getting familiar

Lukonen's rounds were of the flipped variety as the Rocket duffer started slow on Monday before a strong finish, while Tuesday's round began with a string of solid pars before some errant drives got the talented sophomore in trouble late in the round.

"I think this will make it easier him for next year by helping him get familiar with the course," said Jean. "We can go over there next year and play some tournaments so he can know where to hit it and where not to hit it, so he won't get in those trouble spots and all those kind of things."

Lukonen had a stellar year for Forrest, leading the Rockets in scoring in every tournament he played, driving the ball well, hitting solid iron shots, and putting the ball with consistency throughout the season.

"I am proud for him, proud for the school, and I am glad we made it two in row," said Jean. "Gary is in a good spot now, he knows what he has to do and I think he can definitely be a kid that can win it."

Blake Tansil qualified for the state tournament last season for Forrest.

First-year coach

Jean, an experienced golfer in his own right, talked about his first year as head golf coach.

"I have been trying to get back to the state tournament in basketball since I got here and it was kind of strange that we made it in golf my first year," said Jean. "This was a nice change of pace for me, it is a little less hectic than basketball, but believe me, I still hurt for Gary because the kid is mine."

Other local golfers who participated in the tournament from Eagleville were senior Brooklyn Snell, who shot 95-84-179 and Dakota Beech, who posted rounds of 76-81-total.