MCHS, Forrest, and Giles County took to the scorching links at Henry Horton State Park on Monday in an 18-hole tri-match to prepare for the upcoming district tournament and the Tigers stole the show, putting up a stellar 310-team score.

"We were a little worried about the temperature yesterday because it was definitely one of our hottest matches of the season," said MCHS head coach Robby Giles. "But I feel the players are in great shape and have been preparing well to walk 18 and their hard work showed in their results yesterday."

Blazing ahead

Brooks Leftwich has been in that zone for a while now and the junior stayed on fire, firing a one-over par 73 on the 6,325-yard Buford Ellington tract.

Leftwich will tee off Monday as one of the favorites to take home top medalist honors at the District 12A/AA Tournament at Lawrenceburg Country Club.

"Brooks is a competitor and the way he is putting, I think he is certainly in the mix," said Giles. "The players are feeding off of each other and there are a lot positive things happening from it."

Patrick Kennedy turned in a solid six-over 78 for the Tigers, Zach Smith was one back of Kennedy with a 79, and Austin Blade signed for an 80.

Great addition

Zach has been a huge addition for us this year claiming the three spot and averaging 41 on the year to help us win a lot of matches, " said Giles. "And Patrick has been right there all year, just having those one or two bad holes a round to kill his score, but I believe he has learned from those mistakes, and today's score showed what he is capable of doing."

Giles talked about how the 310 score might stack up in the next couple of weeks.

"Well with this being my first year, I'm not real sure what score it will take to advance, said Giles. "Going on what the players told me, that would definitely put us in the top two, but every year is different."

Here is how that score would stack up.

Cascade won the district last year with a 335 and took home the region title with a 322 cumulative score.

The best team score at the TSSAA State Tournament last season was a 309 turned in by the eventual champions, Macon County on day one.

On day two, Macon County shot 310 for two-day score of 619 to win their first-ever state golf tournament title.

Other scorers

Giles County finished second at Henry Horton turning in a 333 with Cole Wade leading the way with an 81, while Thomas Lochridge, Trey Rackley, and Josh Rogers all signed for identical 84s.

The Forrest Rockets finished third as Gary Lukenon remained in the groove with a three-over par 75.

Hawken King added a 94, Jarvis Lyttle shot 98, and Robert Garcia hit one over the century mark for the Chapel Hill duffers.

On the girls' side, the Lady Rockets trio of Dani Hoeft (55), Caitlin Burt (59), and Alyssa Elliot (59) turned in a team total of 173 over nine holes.

Giles County's Maggie Upchurch was the only other girl to tee it up on the day and she signed for a 53.

Forrest opens the District 9A/AA Tournament on Monday at the Legacy Golf Club in Springfield.