By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

St. Charles is headed to the Class 3A state golf tournament next Monday. And it’s doing so in strong fashion.

The Comets captured its regional title at Riverlands Monday, winning Region III with a team score of 363  in an 18-hole match.

The Comets defeated Brusly (2nd place, 398), De La Salle (400) and Lutcher (408) as well as Loranger to secure the crown this year.

The top three teams advance to the State Golf  Tournament at the Atchafalaya golf course in Patterson, as well as the top 10 individual overall scorers from the regional.

T.J. Landry led St. Charles with a score of 88 (3rd overall). Ryan Forsythe was right behind, with an 89 (4th). Pierre St. Martin notched a score of 92 (6th), Beau Schexnayder a 94 (8th), and Matt Autin a 96 (10th).

Lutcher’s Kaleb Clement qualified as an individual to go to the state tournament.

St. Charles Coach Gary Zeringue said that his golfers seemed to play better on the back nine than the front nine – something he partially attributed to familiarity with the Riverlands course, and his team getting a little extra rest on Sunday.

“One advantage we have playing at this course, we’re already used to it,” Zeringue said. “We didn’t shoot a practice round yesterday like some of the other teams did. I think it kept them fresh, and I think we created some separation on the back nine.”

Zeringue, though, says his team will have to step up its collective games if the team is to compete in the state meet.

“I think you have to score between 340 and 360 to really make an impact in state. We shot about our average today,” said Zeringue.

But that being said, he said that Monday’s event was a big step forward for his team. The first place finish in the regionals was the first of Zeringue’s eight year tenure as coach.

“Still, it’s a major accomplishment for us,” he said. “We had hit a down cycle in the last couple years. With 13 kids coming back, I don’t think it’s a one time thing. I think we’ll be even better next year.”