ACME — The third time was the charm for Onekama’s Derek Hobart and Brethren’s Bryson Waller.

Both qualified for the Division 4 state finals in their third opportunity in a regional on Thursday at Grand Traverse Resort’s Spruce Run.

Hobart shot an 8-over 77 on the par-69 layout for the second lowest individual score while Waller posted a 79 to tie for third, then won the spot outright on the first hole of a playoff.

Joe Riggs, a senior with the co-op Bobcats, shot an 86.

Suttons Bay won the regional with a 316 while Harbor Springs was second (328) and Alcona third (335).

The top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams move on to the Division 4 state finals at Michigan State’s Forest Akers East June 14 and 15.

“We’re pretty excited for this,” Onekama coach Tom McCraner said of Hobart advancing in his final chance as a senior. “He’s been waiting a long time for it, he’s worked hard, and he’s got his just reward.”

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Hobart missed out on making the state finals by one shot last year, but didn’t come up short Thursday and is the first Portager to qualify for the finals since Ben Finan in 2002.

“I played really well; I was hitting the ball really well,” Hobart said. “I had a little bit of trouble getting off the tee, but other than that everything was really working well. To be second overall isn’t bad at all.

“After all the hard work and all the time put in, it’s definitely paid off.”

Waller got off to a rocky start with an early triple bogey and a double, but made four birdies to offset some of the damage.

“Bryson really got off to a terrible start,” said Brethren coach Tom Anderson. “He was able to right the ship and get going. It was really exciting and he did a really good job with all the people watching (in the playoff).

Waller is the first Bobcat to qualify for the state finals since the entire team in 1998. And he had to perform with a lot of eyes on him as he and Traverse City St. Francis’ Parker Guss were sent out to No. 18 for a sudden-death playoff. Guss lipped out a par putt and Waller sunk his from about 2 feet.

“That was a whole new experience for me,” Waller said of the playoff. “I was just praying not to miss.”

Riggs, who shot a 98 in the district to advance to the regional, closed his prep career with a significant improvement while tying for 23rd.

“I was just as excited about his 86 as I was Bryson’s 79,” Anderson said. “I thought he did an excellent job. It was a very good last round for Joe.”