A pair of local links teams, plus a half dozen individuals are heading to the TSSAA State Golf Championships, to be played on the Sevierville Golf Club's River and Highlands courses Thursday and Friday.

The Region 3-AA champion Walker Valley Mustangs and Ooltewah Lady Owls both enter the 36-hole event with the second-best qualifying scores.

Walker Valley heads into its second straight TSSAA Boys State Golf Championships as the top returning Class AA team, but it won't be a cake walk for the Mustangs to claim the program's first crown.

"We are excited to head back to state this year.

Had to battle to get here," proclaimed verten Herd wrangler Will Campbell, who lost just one starter from last year's squad that tied a school record with a third place finish.

Walker Valley fired a 1-over-par 289 to capture the Region 3-AA title earlier this week at the Cleveland Country Club's par 72 course, but that is just the second-best tally among the eight qualifying teams.

Region 5 champ Page blistered the par 71 Franklin Bridge Golf Club layout with a 13-under 261. The Patriots were led by 7-under 64s from a pair of juniors Brayden Bennett and Bryson Bostelman, plus a 6-under 65 by senior Jake Eikoff and a 3-under 68 by junior Carson Jenkins.

Making its third overall appearance, Page is returning to the state tournament after a runner-up finish in 2022.

Also heading to the Sevierville Golf Club for the state tournament Thursday and Friday are region champs Lebanon (6-over 294), Hendersonville (7-over 295), Bearden (304), Science Hill (304), Clarksville (307), Houston (307).

"We also know there are some really really good teams that will be there," commented Coach Campbell. "So we are just gonna do like we’ve done all season.

"Just control what we can. One shot at a time. Don’t worry about a number. And good things can happen.

"We feel like we have a really solid team," the Mustang mentor assessed after his squad went 85-3-2 during the regular season and first two postseason events. "Guys are playing well.

"It helps a ton that we went last year too. So we know what to expect (of the Sevierville Golf Club's par 72 River Course) and have experienced some of those nerves before. We feel like that is a big advantage."

Walker Valley is bolstered by sophomore Cody Walter, who won the 2025 state individual championship with a 68-71 - 138 for a 6-under total as a freshman last fall.

Junior Drew Thompson, who won the Region 3 individual crown Monday with a 2-under 70, is making his third trip to the state after shooting a 5-over last October to go with participating for The Baylor School in 2024.

Lone Mustang senior Harrison Yost will be making his third state tournament as well, being tied for the lead with a 3-under 69 in the 2024 opening round before finishing with a 7-over 151 before firing a 4-over 148 last year.

Junior Luke Finnell is a four-year Mustangs, but was not on the 2025 team in Sevierville, but has had a strong campaign this fall.

With impressive high school debut seasons, freshman Hayden Nall, who has been the team's low medalist a few times this fall, will play as the fifth participant, while classmate Hayes Garner would have been the alternate, but will be out of state.

"Just overall a great group of boys," Coach Campbell proclaimed. "I’m honored to be their coach and excited to see what this next week has in store for us. Whatever the outcome, it's been a great season and I couldn’t be more proud of these guys!"

Walker Valley swept eight tri-matches, plus tied with Cleveland for first place at another, won tournament titles at the Burke Invitational, Golf Capitol Classic and Golden Eagle Invitational.

The Region 3 champion Ooltewah girls tied with Clarksville for the second-best state qualifying score with 6-over 150s, while defending state champion Page comes in as the top qualifier once again with an even-par 142 on the par 71 Franklin Bridge course.

The Lady Owls will also be competing against region champs Cookeville (157), Dobyns-Bennett (160), Collierville (161), Station Camp (164) and Hardin Valley (167).

Sisters Charli "Duck" and Alli Troxell propelled Ooltewah to its second state tournament in three years, firing 1-over 73 and 5-over 77, respectively, for the top two scores Monday at CCC.

A senior, "Duck" Troxell tied for fifth place with Page's Shashe Ekker with 7-over 147s last year on the par 70 Highlands Course in Sevierville, plus finished tied for 26th in 2024 with a 162.

Although just a sophomore Alli Troxell has also made her third TSSAA State field, going the last two seasons with Boyd Buchanan for the DII-A events. She was fourth individually with a 5-over 145 last fall, plus helped the Lady Bucs to a runner-up finish in 2024 with a 6-over 146 as an eighth-grader. 

   Along with the Herd and Lady Owls in the team competitions, six other local golfers will be playing for individual state titles.

Cleveland seniors Dalton Franklin and Matt Miolen will be making their first TSSAA State appearances, while Bradley Central junior Bentley Catlett and sophomore Avery Chastain their second straight.

"Just super proud of both of these young men," praised Blue Raider head coach Lamar Mills. "Dalton has played well over the last two weeks and I am expecting big things from him.

"Matt has been just a few holes or shots away from playing well over the back half of the season in each of our matches. He really put together a solid round on Monday. I look forward to seeing him play on the big stage.

"Both of these young men have worked hard all season to get to this championship," he expressed. "I know both of these young men will represent Cleveland High School well next week."

Franklin tied with Thompson with a 2-under 70 in regulation play in Monday's regional, but lost on the first hole of the playoff.

Miolen finished fifth overall with a 1-over 73, while junior Lee Windham took a two-hole playoff win over Catlett for the third individual berth after both shot 4-over 76s Monday, but due to family commitments he had to forfeit his spot in the State Tournament.

Catlett will take his place, coming off a 159 at last year's state event.

Finishing 21st with a 164 as a freshman in 2025, Chastain helped the Bearettes to a sixth place finish at the state.

  "Both golfers have been near the top of the leaderboard throughout the season, consistently competing against some of the area’s strongest players," related first-year Bradley head coach Colby Ownbey.

"Their strong regional performances earned them another opportunity to compete on the state’s biggest stage.

"With experience on the (Sevierville) courses from last year, the two friends/teammates will look to use that familiarity to their advantage as they compete among Tennessee’s best!" he added.

Also making her second straight state tournament trip is Soddy Daisy's Addison Ryland, who finished ninth individually last year with a 9-over 153.

She finished fourth in Monday's region lay with an 8-over 80.

Earning her first state bid, McMinn County's Zoe Benton was fifth at the regional with an 87.

After a practice round Wednesday, this year Division I and II Class AA Championships will tee off Thursday morning and wrap up Friday afternoon.