After two years of being on the cusp of qualifying for the state golf championships, Nick Maff earned the right to finish his high school career there next week.

The Bethlehem Catholic senior shot 78 Monday at the PIAA East Region Tournament to finish tied for seventh place in Class AAA and three shots under the cut to make states.

“I’m happy but its more relief,” he said after his round. “I’m happy its over and I’m glad I got through.”

Maff was making his fourth trip to regionals. He missed the cut for states in a playoff last year and was one stroke away from making it there as a junior.

Monday he started on the 10th hole at Golden Oaks Golf Club in Fleetwood. He made the turn at five-over par, but settled to shoot one-over (37) on his second nine.

“It wasn’t a great round but I managed to score somewhat decent,” he said. “I wanted to shoot 75 or lower but I’m happy with my score. I just wanted to get through.”

Maff made two birdies in his round to offset a double and six bogeys.

“I wish I could have had a better start but the thing I did really well was stayed patient,” he said. “ Even though my score was rising I was still able to stay patient and grind out the round on a tough day.”

Maff, who placed second at districts last week, moves on to next week’s PIAA Championship tournament. It’s a 36-hole event over two days at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York.

Fourteen boys in the Class AA field qualified for states. District 11 champ William Mirans of Notre Dame (East Stroudsburg) shot the low round in Class AA boys with a one-over par 73.

The lowest rounds of the day were a pair of three-under par 68s shot by Gus Minkin of Central York and Kyle Vance of Methacton, who tied for the best scores in boys Class AAA.

Central Catholic’s Franca Hurtado won the girls Class AA tournament with a 79. Radnor’s Gabby Kim shot 74 to take medalist honors in Class AAA girls.