Led by medalist Nick Thompson’s 2-under par 69, the Pinecrest boys won their fifth regional golf title in a row at Pinehurst No. 6 on Monday.

The Patriot team score of 298 was four strokes better than the one posted by Clayton. Hoggard came in at 304 to become the third team from the East Regional field to qualify for the NCHSAA 4A state championships next Monday and Tuesday, also at No. 6.

Thompson bogeyed his first hole of the day, but then went on to make 14 pars and three birdies on the par 71 layout. He came within inches of a hole-in-one on the 170-yard, par three seventh. A 70 by Jackson Spires, of Terry Sanford, was the only other below-par round on a beautiful day for golf.

Sophomore Zachary Martin shot a 74 for the Patriots and senior Dylan Harris came in with a 76. Juniors Sam Kosich and Alex Meade each shot a 79 to tie for the winners’ fourth score.

Spires with his 70, and Andrew Decker, of J.H. Rose, and Zack DuPre, of New Bern, with 72s, qualified for the state event with the best three scores for players not members of a qualifying team.

The Patriots coached by Sandy Sackmann have now qualified for the state championships for the 11th time in the last 13 years. They finished third in 2010 as Green Hope won the title for the fourth time in the last five years. The Patriots were state champions in 2008.

Team scores – Pinecrest 298, Clayton 302, Hoggard 304, Terry Sanford 308, New Bern 314, Cape Fear 319, Harnett Central 319, J.H. Rose 322, West Johnston 332, Pine Forest 339, Garner 340, Richmond Senior 342 and Purnell Swett 352.