Jeff Kerns will be a player/coach.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers golf coach proved to his players he knows what he’s talking about after qualifying for the Ohio Amateur Golf Tournament.

Kerns shot a 72 at Moundbuilders Country Club on May 29 at Newark to qualify for the Ohio Amateur Tournament scheduled for July 13-19 at the Springfield Country Club.

“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity. I played with a lot of high school kids, but I’m used to playing against high school kids so I was used to it,” said Kerns.

He finished 12th overall and just four strokes off the winning score of 68 by Alex Redfield of Powell.

More than 100 golfers entered the qualifier. The cut for qualifying was 75.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever done this. I’ve wanted to do it. I was pleasantly surprised. It was fun,” said Kerns.

Several local golfers including Kerns’ son, Nathan, a sophomore on the golf team, competed in the qualifier.

Seth Christian of Ironton, Mark Brooks of Proctorville, and Nathan Kerns all just missed the cut. Each shot a 76.

Tony Brown, a former assistant to Kerns, carded a 77 and Josh Cartmell had an 85. Both are from Ironton.

“I wanted to wait until Nate and I could do it together. It would be more special that way,” said Jeff Kerns. “To do it with Nate and Tony was pretty special.”