CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Joplin girls golf hit another high note to cap off the regular season as the Eagles kicked off the week by capturing the program’s first Central Ozark Conference title on Monday at Briarbrook Golf Course.
Finishing seven strokes better than second-place Ozark, Joplin won the COC crown with a team score of 382. Carl Junction took third place with a score of 390, while Branson took fourth at 397 and Carthage in fifth place at 404.
“It was an awesome day filled with a lot of excitement,” Joplin coach Brad Cox said. “We’ve golfed really well all year and our short game showed up today. We have been working really hard on that the last couple of weeks. … We are really excited for this. It is our first COC championship. … It was a tough course today, but I am super proud of them for battling through.”
Taking first overall individually was Ozark’s Josey Roberts, who carded a 70. Carthage’s Addie Foust took second place overall after shooting an 82.
Drew Yockey, who had to endure a battle with a hornets nest near the end of her round, finished with a 91 to lead Joplin, while Kenna Haley carded a 93. Both Yockey and Haley earned all-COC honors as top-10 finishers. Scarlett Satterlee shot a 94. Emmie McGill finished with a 104 and Chloe Friend scored a 107 to round out Joplin’s scoring.
“I am proud of Drew for battling through to finish her round, especially after getting stung,” Cox said. “But I can’t say enough Drew and Scarlett and Kenna and Chloe and Emie. They have gotten better each week. … We kind of take the pack approach as a team … and today, it was a complete team win.”
This is Joplin’s fourth win of the year as a team, with the Eagles also earning four additional top-three finishes this season. Joplin’s last conference title in golf came in 2014 in the Ozark Conference.
“This season has been amazing,” said Cox, who is in his first year as the girls golf coach for the Eagles. “From Drew’s hole-in-one at Ozark to today, when Scarlett Satterlee hit one of the best golf shots I have ever seen in my life. She hit a knockdown 4 iron through a gap that was no more than three feet wide … and knocked it up within 12 feet of the pin and made her par.
“It has just been a really great year seeing the improvement and confidence build up. … I have seen a lot of growth (in the mental aspect) of our games and a lot of growth in the skill area. This win was a cherry on top. There are some great teams, but I felt like we were the best team in the COC. We got to go out there and prove that today. There is no better feeling than knowing you are the best overall team.”
Carl Junction’s third-place score was led by Anna Burch carding an 88 on the way to all-conference honors (fifth overall). Lyric Belcher scored a 97, while Olivia Teeter shot a 101. Rylie Matyi finished with a 104 and Alex Teeter carded a 108.
Foust’s 82 led the way for the Tigers and also earned her all-COC honors in the process. Shay Gaddis also finished all-conference after shooting an 87, good for third place. Bella Holmes scored a 111, while Hailey Ralston finished with a 124. Milana DeCrescenzo wrapped up the scoring with a 132.
Also locally, Webb City shot a 461 with Avry Hodson and Jordyn Scott each shooting a 112, while Langlee Walker carded a 113. Brooklyn Cartwright shot a 124 and Isabella Manes scored a 126.
Joplin and Carthage wrap the week of golf with postseason play getting started, taking part in the Class 4 District 3 tournament at Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield on Thursday.
Carl Junction and Webb City take part in the Class 3 District 3 golf tournament at Whispering Oaks Golf Course in Marshfield on Thursday.
