Carthage senior Hailey Bryant capped her regular season finale as a Tiger in the best way possible—winning the Central Ozark Conference title with a first-place score of 42-41—83 at Schifferdecker Golf Course on Monday.
“It was super exciting,” Bryant said. “But, honestly, I didn’t have the best round today. It actually felt like the worst round I’ve had all season. But, I have really been looking forward to playing in this year’s conference tournament after taking second place the last two years, and those both kind of stung a little bit. So this year, I was really looking forward to it.
“I have been working on a lot of different things … I think it was a rough day for most of the girls. I was just happy I could make some things work and scramble to get a win today.”
Despite taking the top spot, Bryant—who finished eighth in the state tournament a year ago—felt like she didn’t even play her best golf in the COC match. That bodes well for her confidence as she heads into the postseason with eyes on a Class 3 state title.
“Golf is so confusing,” Bryant said. “You can have a day where you put up one of your worst scores so far and still win. Today has helped me with my perspective a little bit.”
”I am very excited,” Bryant said with a smile when asked about her excitement for her final run at a state title. “Since my freshman year, I have been building up for this. I am very excited that it is so close. I am a little bittersweet because it’s my senior year … but I am very excited to see what I can do.”
In terms of the team showings, Willard took first place with a score of 400, while Nixa finished in second at 408. Joplin rounded out the top three with a score of 410.
Joplin had three golfers in the top 15, led by Lindsey Belnap’s 48-47—95 to finish in fifth and earn all-COC honors.
“Honestly, I am just excited for them,” Joplin coach Shannon Neill said. “They all played well today. Lindsey Belnap, our junior, shined today. Her game is really coming on. Today, she hit fairways. Her driver was really good, and she got up and down when she needed to. She also played smart around the greens. … We are excited because we are close. Looking at those scores, Willard with a 400, we are getting there.”
Carthage (412) took fourth and Webb City (417) placed fifth, while Branson (423), Carl Junction (458) and Ozark (467) rounded out the team scores.
ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
Also earning all-conference honors were Nixa’s Mia Farrar, who took second overall with an 85, Ozark’s Maddie Greenlee (third; 86), Webb City’s Laya McAllister (fourth; 43-46—89), Belnap, Republic’s Izzy Benson (sixth; 96), Branson’s Maci Rogers (seventh; 97), Willard’s Madi Mills (eighth; 98) and Aubrey Foster (ninth; 99) and Webb City’s Sophia Coulson (10th; 47-53—100).
OTHER AREA SCORES
Joplin’s Kenna Haley finished just outside the top 10 after tying Willard’s Kylee Hopper with a 103. Sophia Schwartz carded a 105 to finish in 15th place for Joplin. Drew Yockey finished in a tie for 21st with a 109.
“We talk about peaking at the right time,” Neill said. “I think that is showing right now. … Our goal this season has always been to stay positive and show growth and improvement. Going into districts, I think they are ready for that. Hopefully, we will get a few girls to state.”
Carthage’s Shay Gaddis scored a 108 to finish in a tie for 19th with fellow Tiger Ava Lacey (108). Caitlin Derryberry finished out with a 113 to place in a tie for 26th.
Webb City’s Sydney French shot a 109 to tie for 21st, while Jacie Crouch carded a 119 to tie for 33rd.
Alex Teeter shot a 114 to close in a tie for 28th with Anna Burch (114) for Carl Junction, with Chloe Mitchell tying Rylee Sprague for 30th after both shot a 115.
UP NEXT
Area teams will compete at their respective district tournaments the week of Oct. 11.
