Jackson headed to state tournament
Red Bay sophomore Isaiah Jackson qualified to compete in the 2014 AHSAA State Championship Boys’ 1A-2A golf tournament. Photo by Keith Ledbetter.
By Keith Ledbetter
For the FCT
Isaiah Jackson has been playing golf since he was three years old. From those early days of playing wiffle ball golf with his dad, Micah, in his front yard, Isaiah has continued to improve on the game that he has grown to love.
This week, the Red Bay High School sophomore for the first time qualified to compete in the 2014 AHSAA State Championship Boys’ 1A-2A state tournament after shooting a 76 (+4) during sub-state at Cullman’s Terri Pines course.
Jackson was the medalist with a first place finish out of a field of 48 high school golfers. He also made the all-tournament team.
Jackson played this Monday and Tuesday, May 12-13, at the RTJ Prattville course in Montgomery. (Due to press deadlines, results will be published in next week’s edition.)
“It’s a huge accomplishment for me,” Jackson said.
“I’ve played four years in a row, either with our Red Bay team or as an individual. This year I pulled it out.”
Jackson said he thought he had a pretty good chance at winning, but he knew it wasn’t going to be easy because he knew some of the other players, and they were pretty good.
“I just played really good all day,” he said. “I stayed consistent, executed what I wanted to do, and hit my shots.”
Because Jackson played on a consistent level, he didn’t have anything over a bogey, and had lots of pars and some birdies.
“That’s what kept me under 80, which ended up causing me to win it,” Jackson added.
He qualified for sub-state after participating in the 18-hole sectional tournament at Cullman Municipal Golf Course.
Jackson shot a 75(+3) and finished third out of 51 high school golfers. He was also selected for the all-tournament team.
He only lost one high school match during the high school season. That was against Russellville, where he finished second. His nine-hole matches average was 36.1.
“My year has been pretty good. During high school, I didn’t shoot over 40 in my matches. I’ve had some good wins and placed second at the Red Bay Invitational.
“This had been a good year and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Last Wednesday, Jackson played at the local US Open Qualifier at Colonial Country Club in Cordova, Tenn. He shot a 76(+4) and finished 25th out of 84 registered golfers. The top five moved on as sectional qualifiers. Participants were mostly college and web.com tour players.
“I think I’m in a groove right now and I’ve been playing really good lately, especially at the US Open Qualifier and last week at sub-state,” added Jackson.
This past basketball season Jackson decided to temporarily lay his golf club down and play varsity basketball at Red Bay.
“I missed playing basketball last year. I missed being with my friends on the court as a team member and working together.”
Jackson said that after he played basketball it took a some time to get back to playing his game, and to get accustomed to his golf swing again.
“I think it was beneficial to take some time off. I needed some time to get away from golf,” he said.
“It really helped me deal with a pressure situation in golf. There have been several moments that I needed to make a putt or shot and I really had to focus. Playing basketball really helped me with that.
“I’m hoping I can use that to my advantage at state.
“I’m excited, I’ve never got to play at the Prattville course, so it’s going to be a new challenge.”
