Joplin hosted the Class 5 District 3 golf tournament on Monday and despite battling inclement weather, the Eagles had a memorable showing in a field of 15 teams and 74 golfers at Schifferdecker Golf Course.
Joplin took second place overall with a team score of 310, with all five golfers qualifying for the Class 5 state tournament that takes place on May 17 and 18 at Sedalia Country Club in Sedalia, Missouri.
“They were fighting and battling,” Joplin coach Jack Pace said. “Rain came down most of the first nine, then the rain quit and the wind picked up. … They were phenomenal and always do what needs to be done. They are an impressive group to watch.”
Not only were Joplin’s scores good enough to qualify, each of them finished in the top 10 on the individual leaderboard.
“It’s awesome that we were all able to qualify,” Joplin senior Ethan Sage said. “It’s really great. I believe we will make a run at it at state, so I am really looking forward to it.”
Senior Fielding Campbell led the way for the Eagles, earning a fourth-place finish with a four-over-par 75. Sophomore Hobbs Campbell finished with a six-over 77 to finish in a tie for sixth place. Freshman Harry Satterlee finished in eighth place with a seven-over 78, while Sage and junior Wyatt Satterlee closed their rounds shooting a nine-over 80 to finish in a tie for 10th.
“I was not expecting the rain this morning … and I didn’t prepare for it very well,” Joplin’s Fielding Campbell said about his round. “I got off to a rough start, but I was able to figure it out and rebound to finish with a good round.”
Also qualifying for the state tournament was Carthage senior Grant Riley, who finished in a tie for 15th place after shooting a 10-over-par 81.
“I am really proud of Grant for battling his way back into form this season,” Carthage coach Jamie Newman said. “He represents Carthage and what it means to be a Tiger with who he is as a young man. Today, he struck the ball and his short game is where it has been the past few weeks—great. Missing last year took an opportunity from him. I’m happy he was able to cash in his opportunity today.”
Helias Catholic took first in the team standings with a 309, while Archer Schnieders’ one-over 72 was good enough for a first-overall finish on the individual leaderboard. Smith-Cotton’s Keaton Mateja finished in a tie for second with a 74 with Lee’s Summit West’s Justin Andrews. Helias Catholic’s Davis Linhardt placed fifth with a 76, with LSW’s Josh Lumby tying for sixth with a 77 and Isaac McCullough taking ninth with a 79.
Also finishing in a tie for 10th after shooting an 80 were Nixa’s Johnathan Miller and Chandler Burch and HC’s Burke Bauer.
Shooting 81 and tying for 15th place were Ozark’s Carter Jackson and Boston Huddleston, HC’s Jay Higgins, LSW’s Jack Dorrian and Raymore-Peculiar’s Chase Martel.
Rounding out local scoring, Carthage’s Britt oy shot an 82, while Owen Derryberry finished with an 86. Tyler Philips shot an 89, with Quinn Brewer shooting a 94 for the Tigers.
OF NOTE: Joplin’s Harry Satterlee came off the course initially with a score of 76. He was informed by an opposing golfer in his group while they were signing scorecards that he committed a (two-stroke) penalty for holding the flagstick out of the pin and finishing his tap-in putt one handed. Satterlee sought confirmation and was told by the opposing golfer’s coach he indeed committed a penalty, which resulted in Satterlee giving himself the penalty. It was later discovered that Satterlee had not broken said rule because it was changed two years ago and he should not have been assessed a penalty. However, because he had already signed his scorecard with a round of 78, that score was finalized. SoMo Sports felt obligated to make note of this because without the two-stroke penalty that should not have occurred, Joplin would have finished in first place in team scores.
