THOMASVILLE—The Thomasville Bulldogs Golf Team is headed to state after being named runners-up at the Area Tournament on Monday.

The Bulldogs faced tough competition, coming up short by three strokes to Berrien. But, the team has nothing to hang their heads about with Head Coach Pearce Fussell sharing the Golf Dogs were leading nearly the entire tournament, before hitting a small rough patch.

The team still had a chance to clinch a spot in the state tournament though.

It would all come down to a playoff hole, where Wyatt Stump, who placed 3rd overall, would birdie to send the Dogs to state.

The Dogs would shoot a 330 overall on the day, with Stump shooting a 78. Sophomore Charles Ward would go on to place 7th overall, shooting an 81.

While the entire boy’s team will travel to state, the Lady Dogs were five strokes shy of making the State Tournament as a team.

Instead, number one seed and number two player overall Adalynn Jones qualified for state as an individual.

“Adalynn will compete against all the schools at state,” Fussell explained. “She just won’t be playing on a team.”

When asked how Jones felt about playing by herself, Fussell said she was very level-headed, but reminded she wouldn’t truly be alone as all the Golf Dogs would be supporting her throughout the course.

Fans can follow the team on their journey to state, which will be held May 19-20 at Richard B. Russell State Park in Elbert County at the Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course.

Fussell said the hope is to get his team in a practice round on May 18, so they can get a feel for the course.

As far as competition goes, Fussell explained it can be difficult to know one’s opponents on a course, especially in a new region. However, he doesn’t believe the team needs to focus on their opponents as much as they need to just mentally prepare.

“We just need to play our game, and if Wyatt plays his game like he did at area, then I think we have a really good chance,” Fussell concluded.