By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Tyler Walton will take the state’s biggest stage for his final two rounds of golf as a senior representing Union City High School.
Walton qualified for the Division I Small Class State Tournament by finishing fourth in the individual portion of the regional tourney Monday at Persimmon Hills Golf Club at Sharon.
Walton shot an 80, behind only the trio of Jonathon Moore and Ben Austin (McKenzie) and Dresden’s Grant Roberts, who all fired 77s.
That group will all move on to WillowBrook Golf Course in Manchester, where they’ll play 18 holes on both Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Practice rounds will be allowed on Monday.
Walton didn’t have his best score of the season Monday, but he was good enough to move on to the next and final level after coming close as a sophomore and junior.
“I’m just really proud of him after he got so close before,” UC head coach Jason Qualls said. “It was a little bit of grind for him and everybody else, but he did what he needed to do.
“He’s deserving. He’s been our best player all season and one of the better ones in our district and regional. I’m excited about him having this opportunity, and I’ll be really surprised if he doesn’t go to Manchester and play well.”
McKenzie won the team championship and will also advance to the state tourney, edging Union City by 14 strokes (327-341).
Joyner Caldwell shot an 83 for the Tornadoes to come up just short of joining Walton in the state tourney field. Carter Walton came in with an 85, Kyle Herrell shot 93 and Wilson Harris came in with a 96.
In girls’ play, UC finished fourth among five teams with a 244.
Gussie Parks had the Lady Tornadoes’ best score with a 121. Meg Kizer shot 123 and Addi Hooks carded a 144.
Tyler Walton, Harris, Eli Jordan, Miles Odle, Kizer and Parks were the seniors on this year’s Union City squads.
Photo: Tyler Walton, back row middle, with team and coaches. (Mike Hutchens photo).
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