By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Every high school athlete dreams of making it to the state tournament.
Tyler Walton has now lived that experience in two different sports.
The Union City High School senior wrapped up his second day of play in the Division I Small Division Golf Tournament in Manchester Wednesday, the first Tornado linkster to qualify for the event in six years.
And while his Day 2 score (82) might not have been what he’d envisioned when he teed off at the WillowBrook Golf Club at 9 in the morning, the memory of playing on the biggest stage in the sport will last a lifetime.
Just like when he and his baseball teammates made it to the same level last spring.
“I made memories here that’ll last me a lifetime – just like I did in baseball,” Walton said after finishing with a two-day 162 total that was good enough for 25thplace in the 64-player field. “To be able to play against the best golfers in the state on the biggest stage was just an awesome experience.
“My score might not have been what I wanted, but I did my best.”
The starting shortstop and a pitcher on the Tornado baseball team that set school records for most wins in a season and other marks last spring in earning the program’s first state tournament trip in more than 20 years, Walton said he believed that experience helped him on the Manchester course this fall.
“I knew what to expect with more people being around, with media being around and all that comes with playing on the state level in a sport,” he said. “Just having that many people watch me that were here, that never really bothered me.
“I really never was nervous.”
For the second straight day, Walton had most of his troubles on the back-nine Wednesday.
After parring six of nine holes before the turn – giving him 13 pars on 18 holes on Holes 1-9 – Walton shot 43 (7-over) on the back-nine.
His shot of the day, though, came at the same place where he made a memorable one on Tuesday as he chipped in for birdie on No. 15. Walton also chipped in on the same hole – for par – there on Day 2.
He had five bogeys on the back-nine though, and a triple-bogey to go along with two pars and the birdie to total a 43.
Walton was again steady on the front-nine, registering a 39.
He was followed for the second straight day by one of the biggest, if not the biggest, galleries of anyone in the field.
Both sets of grandparents, Wes and Fay Walton, and Kathy and A.J. Harrell – the latter of whom made an 8 ½-hour trip from Florida – joined Tyler’s parents, Donnie and Kelly, along with sibling Carter and UC head coach Jason Qualls to provide support.
“That was definitely good to have everyone behind me,” Tyler claimed.
Qualls also noted Walton’s feat of being a state participant in two sports now, and he believes a third trip is not out of the question.
“Tyler’s such a good kid. He works hard, he’s humble and he’s a great representative of our school and our athletic program,” the UC coach said. “Getting to the state tournament is such a special feat, but to do it in two different sports is really a rarity.
“I’ve gotten to make this trip with two really good young people with Tyler and Mollie Stone three times (2010-12), and their families have been so supportive of their kids, our program and our school. It really has been a memorable time. And, who knows, Tyler might have a shot to get back to the state again before he graduates.”
That would be like two cherries on top of the sundae.
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