Rugby was so close, yet so far.

The Panther boys golf team tied for third place at the Region 4 team qualifier on May 14 for a second time in three years.

Unfortunately, as was the case in 2008, Rugby lost the tie-breaker and the opportunity to compete at the Class B state meet next month.

Rugby and Westhope both finished with a 376 score which comprises of the teams’ top four scorers. The tie-break is determined by the next scorer, the fifth golfer, and that’s where the Sioux had the edge.

“That’s the breaks,’ said Rugby coach Gary Myhre. “That’s why it’s a team sport.”

The fact a young Rugby squad was in contention for a state tournament berth bodes well for the future.

“As the season went along I had to revise my expectations with this group,’ Myhre said. “We have a good group of eighth graders who played well this spring.”

One of them, Jack McClintock, has one more meet to play. He carded a round of 91 which allowed him to grab one of the last state-qualifying spots following the disqualification of a group of four golfers.

Myhre figured a round of 85 would be necessary to have a chance to finish in the top 10 and qualify individually for the state meet. However, the posted scores were a little higher.

McClintock has been Rugby’s most consistent golfer all season, recording rounds in the high 80s and low 90s. Jack participated in the state meet a year ago with his teammates. This year, however, he will be the lone representative from Rugby. The state meet will be June 1-2 in Carrington.

Rugby’s other scorers were: Benji Miller, 92; Zach Leer, 96; Alex Landsberger, 97; Brett Kramer, 117; Taylor DeMers, 125.