JOSHUA — The Joshua Owls will be sending a representative to the state golf meet in Austin on May 9-10.

Junior Dillon Vaughn qualified for the competition after winning a playoff hole at the Class 4A Region 1 meet against Burleson’s Colby Webb.

Vaughn finished second in the District 7-4A meet with a two-day total of 147, then shot a 74 and a 73 in the regional meet.

Vaughn said he still hasn’t played his best golf.

“The fall season went pretty well, but I didn’t play that good,” he said. “I did good in a couple of tournaments, but the spring started off really slow. I felt like I was getting it back after a few competitions.”

Vaughn said he wasn’t happy with his 78 on Day 1 of the district meet, but said things changed on the second day when he shot a 69.

“Thing started clicking then and I got some confidence going into regionals,” Vaughn said. “[Colby] three-putted on the playoff hole and I had two shots from 3 1/2 feet. I actually missed the first one and tapped in the second.”

Vaughn referenced an earlier tournament in which he shot his personal best two-day total of 141 as an example of what he’s capable of in Austin.

“If I shoot that, I’ll have a really good chance,” he said. “It’s very doable, and I’ve played the course. I feel like I could probably improve quite a bit.”

With another season still to come, Vaughn said he’s prepared to up the ante this summer to prepare for another run to Austin in 2012.

“This summer I’ll be with the AJGA [American Junior Golf Association],” Vaughn said. “That’s where you get the best looks [for college].”

Is he nervous about the biggest stage of his high school career?

“I don’t think I’ll be real nervous, but everyone is nervous on the first tee,” Vaughn said. “I think I’ll be more focused than anything.”

Joshua head golf coach Gary Wright agreed that Vaughn has yet to play his best golf and added that Vaughn has the potential to bring home the gold.

“I wish all my kids had his work ethic,” Wright said. “If he doesn’t like how he shoots out at Mountain Valley one day, then he goes to the range and works on it.

“I’m really glad for him that all his hard work has paid off.”

Wright said he doesn’t want his golfer to be content with just making it to Austin.

“We talked the other day and I told him that the journey’s not over yet,” Wright said. “If he goes and has two good rounds, he can win. He scrambled very well in Abilene, but he didn’t play nearly as well as he’s capable of.”

Wright added that with Vaughn back next year, the Owls’ varsity will have a good chance at qualifying for regionals as a team.

He said he feels Vaughn would enjoy another trip to Austin with his teammates and friends by his side.

“I’m not going to let him ease up for next year,” Wright said.