SOUTHERN PINES — North Surry’s Taylor Coalson pulled away from a three-way tie to take the individual championship in the state 2A golf championships at the Longleaf Golf and Country Club.
Coalson shot a 69 and 71 for a two-day total of 140, two strokes better than the next-closest golfer at the par-71 course. Eighty-four golfers took part in the 26th annual NCHSAA state tournament.
Defending state champion Ron Dixon, Salisbury, tied with Coalson on the first day, but dropped back to a 2-over 73 on the second day to finish second.
After finishing the first day at 2-under, Coalson began the second day with three birdies on the back nine holes to go 5-under for the tournament.
“No one else in the field could match this performance,” said Coach Daniel Johnson. “At one point on his first nine I expected to see a course record broken.”
Feeling drained from a head cold, Coalson felt the effects of fatigue and had four bogies before making a birdie to protect his lead. He finished at even-par for the day and 2-under for the tournament.
“I’m thrilled for Taylor,” Johnson said Tuesday night. “He works hard every day, and no one is more deserving of this honor. He was in the zone today.”
Coalson said his thinking was to go after birdies instead of settling for pars.
While the Greyhounds have had a lot of success in recent years with its wrestling, volleyball and girls basketball teams, this is the first golf title for the 50-year-old school.
“Our team finished fifth overall,” said Johnson, “an impressive feat considering four of my six players had never been to a state playoff prior to this week.”
After Coalson’s 140, Johnson said, “The next best score came from senior Justin Young with 161, while sophomore Austin Young posted an impressive 169.”
Cole Glasco shot 172, T.J. Ramey 174 and Dustin Utt 179.
West Stokes’ Austin Lych participated as a solo golfer and finished 25th at 159.
“We’ve had a fantastic year, and I’m proud of every one of my guys,” the coach said. “It’s a privilege to be a part of something the likes of which I saw today.”
Contact Jeff Linville at jlinville@mtairynews.com or 719-1920.
Team Standings
Salisbury, 293 + 287 = 580
North Lincoln, 293 + 311 = 604
Shelby, 298 + 307 = 605
Clinton, 317 + 312 = 629
North Surry, 312 + 318 = 630
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