Black Knights finish 2nd, qualify for regionals
Cashiers – From the edge of the green, Isaiah Brown chipped a birdie shot clean into Hole No. 9 at Old Edwards Club.
It was all over for the rest of the field from there.
Robbinsville’s state qualifier in 2023 built off the 1-under triumph and led the entire division through the second half of Monday’s annual tournament conclusion, shooting an 86 on the day to combine with his first-round total of 81 and post a 167 for his effort.
The score was the lowest of the tournament, which gifted Brown the distinction of Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year: the first time any golfer from Robbinsville has ever achieved that feat.
“This is amazing; something I have worked my whole life for,” Brown said. “God has been so good to me, by allowing me to even play the game. So I just want to give Him thanks for everything.”
Moreover, Robbinsville’s solid line-up of Brown, Isiac Collins (183 over both days), Trey Lambert (191), Nathanael Shope (197) and Avery Brown (214) punched a ticket to Monday’s 1A Western Regional Tournament – which is being held on a course very familiar to the Black Knights: Mountain Harbour in Hayesville.
The Knights defiantly overcame a shaky start Monday to ultimately best Murphy – which won the conference title – by two strokes, 370-372. The Bulldogs prevailed with a two-day cumulative total of 722, just 16 under Robbinsville (738).
With all 1A West schools lumped together on a single course, everyone will be competing ferociously for a state berth. The Black Knights have never advanced to the final dance as a unit; Brown qualified last season and missed the cut his freshman year by a mere one stroke.
“We just have to keep working,” Brown said. “Our short game has to improve for us to have a chance to qualify for state as a team.”
By virtue of their individual tallies, Brown and Collins were both named All-Conference; Lambert received an Honorable Mention.