With three boys golf tournaments in the books, it’s safe to say there’s not many strokes separating the four large schools from the Joplin area.
When all was said and done on an overcast Monday at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club, the Joplin Eagles had their second team championship in three tries.
Joplin finished with a four-person score of 154, just one stroke better than Carl Junction’s 155.
Not far behind in the nine-hole match were Carthage and Webb City. The rivals tied for third place with identical scores of 161.
“We played pretty decent today,” Joplin coach Jack Pace said. “Our top three are just exceptional golfers. And I thought our No. 4 and No. 5 players stepped up today with a 43 and a 45.”
Joplin sophomore Harry Satterlee was the individual medalist with a 2-under-par 34. Carl Junction’s Zach Wrensch posted an even par 36 to take second place.
Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell, Carl Junction’s Jack Spencer and Webb City’s Keegon Dill all turned in identical scores of 1-over-par 37 to tie for third place.
Carthage’s Max Templeman shot a 38, while Carl Junction’s Tommy Walker and Carthage’s Owen Derryberry both carded 39.
Joplin’s Wyatt Satterlee, Webb City’s Levi Lassiter and Carthage’s Britt Coy all shot 40.
Webb City’s Josh Howard carded 41, while Joplin’s Ian Surbrugg, Carl Junction’s Noah Williams and Webb City’s Cooper Forth turned in scores of 43.
Carl Junction’s Jacob Teeter and Carthage’s Ben Nicholas both shot a 44, while Joplin’s Dylan Bozarth and Webb City’s Braxten Cahoon both carded 45. Carthage’s Colson Brust carded 48.
If the first three tournaments of 2022 are any indication, the spring season should be an intriguing one for the Eagles, Bulldogs, Cardinals and Tigers.
Joplin won last week’s quad at Carthage, with only three strokes separating the second, third and fourth place teams.
The Tigers nipped the Eagles by two strokes for first place at last week’s invite at Briarbrook, with the Bulldogs just three strokes back of the top spot in that one.
Monday’s quad at Twin Hills was another close one.
“All four of these teams are pretty solid,” Pace said. “There are some 30s and low 40s all over. These young kids just smash the ball. All four teams have some talented players, so the rest of the season should be interesting.”
Joplin, Carl Junction and Webb City all feature returning state qualifiers this spring.
Pace noted the Eagles have the goals set high this season, especially with key performers back from last year’s team that finished fourth at the Class 5 state tournament.
“We’re off to a good start to the season,” Pace said. “We’ve got two tournaments a week now from here on out. I keep telling them these early matches and tournaments don’t really mean anything until we get to conference, districts and state. They just need to keep practicing hard and keep playing and hopefully everything will come together for us at the right time.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Local squads will compete at the Joplin Invitational on Thursday at Twin Hills. The action begins at 8:30 a.m.
