McMinn County junior Ryne Thompson skipped school Tuesday morning.
But he wasn’t quite sure which class he was missing when his last putt dropped during the CDGA junior championship at The Honors Course on Tuesday.
“I’ve missed the first two days, and I don’t even have my schedule,” Thompson said. “Guess I’d better run by school today.
“But you can’t pass up a chance to play the Honors and win a championship.”
Thompson defeated Kyle Holley 2 and 1 in the boys 16-18 age division to earn a framed Honors Course flag in addition to two days of make-up work.
“I played pretty well,” Holley said, “but he played better and beat me.”
Rachel Mason defeated Lexi Stewart 4 and 2 in the girls 15-18 division. Both girls will begin freshman college golf seasons in the next week. Stewart is playing at Tennessee Wesleyan and Mason will play for Young Harris College.
“It’s surreal being here and ending my junior career here,” Mason said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Brooks Thomas beat Patrick McDonald 1-up in the boys 14-15 division. Samantha Griffith defeated Katherine Holmes 5 and 4 in girls 12-14 division. And Sport Allmond defeated Zac Bombassi 5 and 4 in the boys 12-13 division.
Thompson had Holley playing from behind for most of the featured match. He essentially sealed the victory when he matched Holley’s birdie putt on No. 16 with one of his own to remain 2 up with three to play.
“I had a great caddy in Ken (Kovacevich) who helped me read putts, and I made a lot these last two days,” Thompson said. “On 16, he hit a good putt and I took a roll at it, aimed dead center and it went in.
“That just about sealed it.”