Tigers wallop competition, win Cassville Invitational by 36 strokes

The Nevada Tiger golf team is all smiles after capturing a first-place finish at Wednesday’s Cassville Invitational. From left, are head coach Brian Leonard, Carter Swearingen, Bronson Smith, Owen Swearingen, Pierson Dennison, and Cordell Cox.

Submitted photo

Nevada High School’s golf team made quick work of the competition at the Cassville Invitational Wednesday, winning the 12-school event by 36 strokes.

Nevada’s final team total, 336, left Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, with a distant second-place finish (372).

Near the top of the leaderboard at the 18-hole par 72 tournament, were Nevada feshman Owen Swearingen and senior Bronson Smith, as the duo placed second and third respectively.

Swearingen carded a 7-over-par 79, four strokes back of individual champion Aaron Wells, of Thomas Jefferson. Smith, meanwhile, fired a 79, with a tiebreaker as the deciding factor between second and third.

Nevada star freshman Owen Swearingen takes center stage Wednesday.

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“The tie-breaker was decided by the handicap hole procedure, which earned Owen outright second-place,” explained Nevada head coach, Brian Leonard.

Placing fourth out of 59 competitors, was NHS senior Carter Swearingen, with a 12-over-par 84. Nevada’s team scorecard was rounded by career-best outings from sophomore Pierson Dennison (94, 15th-place) and freshman Cordell Cox (99, 25th-place).

Leonard said the highlight of the day was Smith’s “Eagle 2” on hole No. 16.

Nevada High senior Bronson Smith, looks to chip onto the green, Wednesday in Cassville.

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“Bronson drove the green on the (par-4) 325-yard dogleg-left,” began Leonard. “And then, sank an 8-foot putt to earn his eagle on the hole. He then followed that up with a ‘Birdie 2’ on 17.”

Despite the decisive victory, Leonard indicated his squad still has plenty of room for improvement.

“As a team, we are still struggling with some minor, early-season mental mistakes,” said the veteran coach. “The swings are not quite where they need to be, but they are getting better. The boys will continue to fine-tune their swings as we progress through the season, preparing for the post-season.”

Owen Swearingen, flashes a grin in the clubhouse, with his second-place medal in tow.

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Wednesday’s action afforded Nevada an early look at Cassville Golf Club, site of the Class 3 District 6 postseason tournament, where Nevada is set to compete.

Leonard said he instructed his club to take mental notes related to the course lay-out.

“The course played tough (Wednesday), due to the quick greens and the 15-20 mph south/southeasterly wind swirling through the flat layout,” noted Leonard.

“As the winds increased, the greens got faster-and-faster,” added Leonard. “When districts come around at the end of the season, the greens will be even faster. This course has several holes with doglegs, and tight fairways, so placement shots are a must when we return to Cassville.”

TEAM SCORES

• Nevada, 336; Thomas Jefferson, 372; Cassville, 374; Hollister, 378; Marshfield, 387; Reeds Spring, 388; Aurora, 421; Mount Vernon, 421; McDonald County, 445; Diamond, 495; Logan-Rogersville, 500; Purdy, 522.

UP NEXT

Nevada returns to the links Monday — for the Joplin Golf Foundation-Horton Smith Invitational. Tee times are slated for 8:30 a.m., at Joplin’s Schifferdecker Golf Course.