COLUMBUS — When it comes to the having the best coaching possible, Jackson Bryant said he could only turn to his father.

The former Trinity Episcopal golf standout said a recent trip home to Natchez and a session with his father, Tom Bryant, at Beau Pré Country Club is allowing him to excel in the junior college ranks.

Bryant competed in the MACJC State Championship last week for East Mississippi Community College, finishing in a three-way tie for 12th place in the individual standings, with a score of 150 (76-74). The 12th place finish earned him a spot in the upcoming NJCAA Region 23 Championship.

Bryant said his dad’s attention to detail with his swing allowed him to turn his season around at the state championship.

“I haven’t played very well this semester in the tournaments, and coming back home to Natchez and letting my dad help me out at Beau Pré helped me turn things around,” Bryant said.

“The time he spent with me made a huge difference. The tiny little differences in my setup and my swing make all the difference when I’m playing, and I pretty much owe it to him for helping me improve with that.”

And there’s no coach like his father who knows just what buttons to push, Bryant said.

“I wouldn’t trust anyone with my swing more than I do him,” Bryant said.

“I can’t really remember when I started playing, but he’s been working with me since I was in sixth grade. If I ever needed help with my swing, I’d go to him, and he’d fix it up really quickly.”

With the regional championship match comes the opportunity to advance to the national competition in Scottsdale, Ariz., Bryant said.

“It’s an exciting opportunity, because the top five out of the winning team get to go to Scottsdale. If I can keep hitting the way I did in the state championship, and do a little bit better, I’m pretty confident I might be making a trip to Arizona.”