Walker Valley’s Cody Godfrey picked the perfect time to play the best golf of his life.
The senior shot a 2-over-par 73 in the District 5-AAA tournament Tuesday at Valleybrook to lead the Mustangs to their fourth straight district title.
“I hit the ball well and I got up and down when I needed to,” said Godfrey, who’d never been so close to par in a high school team event. “I made two birdies and I should have made a lot more than that.”
Clark Melton shot 75 and Corey Evans added a 77 to help the Mustangs shoot 311 and hold off McMinn County by two shots. Soddy-Daisy finished third at 323 and also qualified for the Region 3-AAA tournament next Monday at Valleybrook.
“It’s nice to win, but winning next week would be better if we could do that,” Walker Valley coach Bob Williams said. “I’d trade this win for that one any day of the week. I’m happy for the guys.”
Junior Ryne Thompson shot a 74 to finish runner-up in the medalist race and pace McMinn’s Cherokees, who also received a 78 from Cody Housley.
In an odd twist, Ooltewah’s Michael Finnegan won a playoff against two teammates for the last spot advancing as an individual.
Soddy-Daisy senior Haley Cothran advanced with no such drama. She shot a 6-over 77 to win the girls’ medal and teamed with an 86 from Jessica Cathey for the team championship at 163.
Avery George of Walker Valley was runner-up at 80 and helped the Lady Mustangs finish second at 169 with Bradley Central coming in third at 192.
“I didn’t play well, but I was able to get a win,” Cothran said. “I grinded it out.
“Now we’ve got a great chance to win at region and go back to state and win that again.”
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchSports