Menu
Tiger golf team triumphs at Bird Dog Invitational
The Nevada Tigers golf team is clubbing the competition.
Winning its third straight event to open the 2016 season, Nevada posted a team score of 316 Thursday at the 12-team Bird Dog Invitational held at Briarbrook Golf Course in Carl Junction.
Nevada won the tournament by 22-strokes, with Carl Junction finishing runner-up at 338, making the Tigers back-to-back Bird Dog Invitational champions.
Nevada golf coach Brian Leonard, said he is thrilled with the Tigers scorching hot start to the season.
"I cannot think of another Nevada team I've coached or team from this area that has won tournament after tournament after tournament," the 12th-year coach said.
Prior to the tournament, Leonard said his team was aiming for a score of 320 or under. Last year, the Tigers won the tournament with a score of 331.
"We have five golfers who can shoot 85 or under," Leonard said. "Any time you can get 320, and have two golfers shoot in the 70s, you're going to be very tough to beat."
Fueling Nevada's 22-stroke victory, were juniors John Quitno and Jacob Hammontree, who posted the tournaments top two scores. Quitno carded a tournament-best 1-under-par 71, tying the Nevada High School record for a third time. This is also the second consecutive year Quitno has won the Bird Dog Invitational, as he fired a 1-under-par 35 on the front-nine, before finishing out with an even-par 36 on the back-nine.
"John has a very smooth and steady game," Leonard said. "He doesn't get flustered and always stays very even-keeled on the course. His demeanor is always the same ---- he's happy to be on the course, and that's a sign of a mature golfer. A former Tiger golfer, Tyler Gast, was the same way."
Leonard said Quitno missed a few greens but was able to recover.
"If he has a bogey, he knows he can come back with a birdie to off-set it," Leonard said. "Several coaches there told me they love watching John's swing."
Hammontree finished out with a five-over-par 76, shooting a 2-over-par 38 on the front and back-nines.
"Jacob struggled on the first couple of holes," Leonard said, "but strung together several birdies and had a great round today."
Nevada's Patrick Ferry tied for seventh, recording a 12-over-par 84, while fellow Tiger Levi Palmer slotted into 11th-place, with a 13-over-par 85.
"Levi struggled hitting greens," Leonard said. "He was either short or off to the left or right with approach shots. I gave him a little drill to work on over the weekend."
Leonard said Briarbrook is a challenging course.
"Some of my guys have a mental block with Briarbrook and never have liked the course," he said. "It's a little intimidating with all the trees and the elevation change."
Nevada freshman Bronson Smith made his varsity-debut, carding an 86. Smith, who is Nevada's top incoming freshman, had previously been sidelined with a broken finger.
"His overall score was pretty good for his first varsity competition," Leonard said.
For additional info on Nevada Tigers golf, see preview story on page 13 of the Spring sports section
Up next
The Tigers travel to Hickory Hills Country Club, Monday, for the Springfield Public Schools Tournament.
Leonard said the tournament will feature larger Class 4 schools.
"This tournament will show us how we stack up against some bigger schools," Leonard said.