They say that being close only counts in horseshoes, but that is all it took last week in Easton for the DHS boys’ golf team to make it to Tuesday’s Division II State finals at the Blackstone National Golf Club in Sutton. Needing to finish in one of the top two spots in the Sectional, the Dragons (309) did just that, finishing six strokes behind Sandwich (303) and two in front of Dennis-Yarmouth (311) to qualify for the trip to Central MA.

“We tried to play smart and not take anything higher than a bogey,” said Coach Jack Stoddard of his team’s consistent play at the Easton Country Club.

Led by Billy Curley’s 76, five of the six Duxbury golfers were able to shoot rounds under 80. If not for Dennis-Yarmouth’s Josh Moore’s medallist round of 70, the Dragons would have been clear winners along with Sandwich.

Captain Jonathan Stoddard was a stroke behind Curley at 77, while Kevin Kuckuk (78), Stephan Krall (78), and James Magner (79) rounded out the Duxbury scoring.

The Clipper sports section had gone to press prior to Tuesday’s final, so check the DHS athletic Web site for the results.