CARTHAGE, Mo. — With the pressure on, Carl Junction freshman Jack Spencer birdied a sudden death playoff hole to earn medalist honors at Monday’s Abbiatti’s BBQ Carthage Invitational.
After 18 holes were complete at the Carthage Golf Course, CJ’s Spencer, Carthage’s Max Templeman and Republic’s Cason Bekemeier found themselves tied on top of the leaderboard, as all carded even-par 71.
A playoff on hole No. 10 determined who would be the medalist and who would finish second and third.
When all was said and done, Spencer was the invite’s champion, while Bekemeier was the runner-up after making par on the playoff hole and Templeman settled for third.
“It was one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time,” Carl Junction coach Ryan Jones told SoMo Sports. “Hole No. 10 is a par-5. All three kids hit their shot onto the fairway. Jack stuck an iron from about 200 out to five feet. Jack had an eagle putt from five feet that he barely missed and then he tapped in for birdie to win it.”
Jones noted Spencer came through in the clutch.
“He puts a lot of expectations on himself,” Jones said. “He’s a great golfer with a great golfing disposition. He’s certainly got the talent and he’s off to a good start to his high school career. I’m sure he’s on cloud nine right now. But I know he has bigger goals moving forward.”
Spencer recorded four birdies on the day. Templeman had three birdies and an eagle on hole No. 10.
One stroke was all that separated Joplin and the host Tigers in the team standings. Joplin turned in a four-person score of 308, just one stroke better than runner-up Carthage.
The Eagles have now won five events this spring.
Carl Junction (321), Republic (323) and Webb City (330) rounded out the top five teams.
“As a team, we weren’t as sharp as we were last week,” Jones said. “But we were solid. We were right there. If you don’t play great, the local teams in this area will beat you. Carthage is great and Joplin is great. We played okay, but that’s a testament to how good the golf is in our area. It’s been a long time since all four local teams (Joplin, Carthage, Carl Junction, Webb City) have been this good. If you don’t play great, you’re going to get beat.”
After the top three individuals, Carthage’s Britt Coy, Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell and Monett’s Jaxon Bailey all carded 1-over-par 72 to tie for fourth place.
Joplin’s Harry Satterlee shot a 73 and finished seventh overall, while Nevada’s Owen Swearingen and Webb City’s Keegon Dill both carded 75 to tie for eighth.
Joplin’s Wyatt Satterlee finished 10th overall with a 77.
Neosho’s Kytn Francisco and Republic’s Griffin Frey tied for 11th place after shooting 80.
Webb City’s Josh Howard and Carthage’s Owen Derryberry tied for 13th with scores of 81.
In addition to Campbell and the Satterlees, Joplin’s Ian Surbrugg shot an 86 and Gabe De Leon carded 88.
Carthage’s Ben Nicholas carded 85 and Colson Brust finished with a 100.
Also competing for the Bulldogs were Zach Wrensch (82), Noah Williams (84), Tommy Walker (84) and Jacob Teeter (90). Wrensch tied for 15th place.
Also contributing for Webb City Braxten Cahoon (84), Cooper Forth (89) and Levi Lassiter (90).
Neosho’s Xander Woodward and Seneca’s Jace Wilson both carded 84, tying for 18th place with CJ’s Walker and Williams and Webb City’s Cahoon.
Seneca’s Eli Olson shot an 85. McAuley was led by Rocco Bazzano-Joseph (87) and Evan D’Amour (89).
Local golf squads will return to action at next Monday’s Bird-Dog Invitational at Briarbrook Golf Course.
“It’s been a busy two weeks,” Jones said. “I think we’ve only had a few practices because we’ve been playing so much. Now we’ve got a week before we play again. We’re excited to get back to practice so we can work on some things.”
Abbiatti’s BBQ Carthage Invitational
Team standings: Joplin 308, Carthage 309, Carl Junction 321, Republic 323, Webb City 329, Monett 333, Neosho 363, Seneca 363, McAuley Catholic 382, Sarcoxie 407, Lockwood 408, McDonald County 511.
FULL RESULTS: AbbiAtti Invitational Event :: Tournament Results (golfgenius.com)
