Dixie Heights senior Jack Woolwine beat three other golfers in a sudden-death playoff Monday, Sept. 28, to claim the final individual berth at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) boys state golf championship.

Woolwine shot 78 at the Regions 5-8 sectional tournament at Kenton County Willows in Independence. Three other golfers matched that score, forcing a playoff for the 15th and last qualifying spot. Woolwine survived it.

He now heads to the 36-hole state finals Oct. 6-7 at Bowling Green Country Club, joining five other Northern Kentucky players who qualified at the same sectional.

The Kenton County School District congratulated Woolwine on social media Sept. 29.

@thekcsd: "Congrats to @DixieHeightsHS Jack Woolwine for advancing to the final round next week in Bowling Green!"

Woolwine was one of three Dixie Heights golfers who qualified for the sectional out of the Region 7 tournament, alongside teammates Lucas Powers and Oliver Niehues. Only Woolwine advanced to state.

Terry Boehmker of the Northern Kentucky Tribune reported that Covington Catholic's Carson White and Joseph Mangine and St. Henry's Parker Isaacs also earned individual state berths, each shooting 4-over 76 to tie for 14th. Ryle's Hayden Li qualified with a 77.

No area team advanced. Covington Catholic placed fourth in the team standings, three strokes behind third-place Central Hardin. Ryle tied for fifth. The three qualifying teams were Louisville St. Xavier, Christian Academy of Louisville and Central Hardin. As we reported Sept. 28, CovCath entered the sectional chasing its first state team title since 1984.

St. Xavier senior Luc Kelty was the individual medalist with a 5-under 67. Kelty was runner-up at last year's state finals and led his team to the title.

The par-72 Willows course played to 6,697 yards from the championship tees. The top three teams and top 15 individuals not on those teams advanced to state.

Woolwine ranked 20th statewide in the Kentucky Golf Coaches Association All-State points standings as of Aug. 31, according to Link NKY. He plays at Bowling Green Country Club starting Oct. 6.