Following his brother

Joe Perkins prepares for the 1A golf state championship at Columbia Point in Richland

Joe Perkins always listens to his brother.

When it comes to selecting shots, managing the course and playing in the state 1A golf championship, Joe knows that Elijah, last years state champion, knows what he is talking about.

"I started playing with Elijah when he came back and I got better just by watching him," Joe said.

Elijah was a senior when he accomplished the feat, now Joe, a freshman, plans to follow his brothers footsteps. Andrew Perkins, Joe's dad and head coach at Royal High School, said there isn't anyone in the state that can beat Joe, except himself and his teammate James Dykes.

Dykes finished 12th at Columbia Point with a two day 78-76—154. He has gotten better and has pushed Joe all season for the No. 1 spot on the Knights' roster.

"Elijah made James a great golfer and Elijah and James have made Joe a great golfer," Andrew said. "But, Joe has made James a great golfer this year."

Joe said he started the season afraid of Dykes because of his ability to hit fairways and greens, but Joe's game was struggling early on.

His putting wasn't on and while he matched Dykes stroke for stroke reaching the green, he lost it with his putter. Once the putter came around, Joe started pacing Dykes and the rest of the competition.

His stroke on genius on the greens set the knew course record at Royal Golf Course with a 62, breaking Elijah's former record of 64.

"Joe broke Elijah's course record with a 62 and Elijah would be the first one to say that Joe is strong," Andrew said.

Joe said he plans on finishing in the top five at the state championship and Andrew said he has the tools to take it.

His game plan has been the same since he became a pundit for managing the course.

"I take it shot by shot, that is the best thing I can do," Joe said.

That is where his competition loses hit, he added.

"It is usually just small things," Joe said. "Most will have a really good hole and then they won't do their pre-shot routine and let momentum take it and you can't rely on that."

Andrew said Joe came into the season two-years ahead of Elijah, who missed the state championship his junior year, about the same place Joe is at as a freshman.

Joe's advantage is his knowledge of the competition heading into the tournament.

"Their advantage, for the high school golfers it will be their toughest competition," Andrew said. "For Joe and James, this is not the toughest competition and they know this is not the toughest competition."

For Monday and Tuesday's state competition, Andrew has high hope for his son, for James and the combination of the two bringing home an individual and team state championship.

"They are a good one-two punch and I am glad I have got them," Andrew added.