Playoff stands between Bledsoe, state

Eaglette freshman Amy Beth McGowan makes a nice chip shot onto the green. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

TULLAHOMA -- Shelbyville Central senior Chase Bledsoe's hope of advancing to the TSSAA state golf tournament remains alive after he posted a 77 in the Region 5-AAA tournament on Monday afternoon at Lakewood Country Club.

Bledsoe tied for the fourth and final individual spot with Tullahoma's Steven Coffelt.

In region play, the top team and the top four individuals not on the winning team qualify for the state.

TSSAA rules require a sudden death playoff if there is a tie. The tournament was delayed approximately three hours due to rain and it was too dark to start the playoff on Monday

Bledsoe and Coffelt will tee off at 4:30 p.m. today on the first hole at Lakewood. The first player to win a hole will advance to the state.

"I was very proud of Chase today. He shot one of his best scores of the year today in adverse weather conditions and against tough competition," Shelbyville coach Lynn Burkey said. "It was his best score of his career at Lakewood. I am pulling for him in the playoff and I have confidence that he can do it."

Siegel won the girls and boys team championships.

Eaglette freshman Amy Beth McGowan and senior Samantha Sullivan also advanced to the region but Sullivan had to withdraw due to illness after the match started.