Freshman Thomas Bryant produced an all-region-caliber performance Monday as Cumberland County High School’s lone representative competing in the Class 1 Region B tournament at The Manor Golf Club in Farmville.

Bryant placed 15th out of 30 golfers, finishing slightly outside the group of five golfers that qualified to compete in the state tournament individually.

Dukes Head Coach Monroe Preston said he “basically saw it as a good learning experience for (Thomas). I thought he played well for his age and playing at that level. I was hoping he could do better, but I think that the experience will help him in the long run.”

Bryant shot a 93 in the 18-hole event and received a pin for placing 15th.

As for state qualification, “he wasn’t that far off,” Preston said. “He had his chances to score low enough to have gone to state, but he missed it by four or five strokes, I think.”

The coach expressed his pride in Bryant, though, and noted that he improved on his performance from the James River District Tournament that took place Sept. 19 at The Manor. Bryant shot a 97 during that event.

Analyzing Bryant’s struggles during regional play, Preston said, “I could tell at times that it was nerves but could definitely see things that we can work on over the year and will expect a good opportunity for him for next year.”

Bryant was the only student-athlete to play golf for Cumberland County High School this year. The Dukes lacked the minimum of four players to officially form a team.

But Preston is optimistic about Bryant being joined by several other golfers next season.