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Tiger golf team collects back-to-back victories
Nearly a month into its season and the Nevada Tiger golf team is showing no signs of letting up from its torrid play on the links.
On Monday, Nevada picked up its third 18-hole tournament championship of the season, followed by a nine-hole home-match victory over Butler on Tuesday.
Joplin tournament
Nevada dominated the 15-team Joplin Golf Foundation-Horton Smith Tournament at Schifferdecker Golf Course –– winning by 28 strokes with a team score of 294 (two stokes off the 18-hole school record).
Webb City placed runner-up followed by Carthage, while Carl Junction rounded out the top four.
In addition, Nevada senior John Quitno placed first individually, firing a 1-under-par 70, while fellow Tiger senior Jacob Hammontree slotted into second place with a 2-over-par 73. Completing the NHS senior trio, Patrick Ferry tied for fourth, carding a 4-over 75. Nevada sophomore Bronson Smith concluded play tied for sixth-place with a 5-over 76.
Despite Nevada’s convincing victory, Tigers’ coach Brian Leonard indicated his squad could have played even better.
“Each of the boys came off the last hole, and before I even had a chance to congratulate them, they told me they didn’t feel they played that well,” Leonard said. “But any time you shoot those type of scores, you’re playing pretty good.”
Monday’s championship victory in Joplin was Nevada’s third team title of the season, to go along with a lone runner-up finish.
Home match
Nevada had little trouble Tuesday evening dispatching visiting Butler, winnings its home-match by 55 strokes.
Nevada’s team score of 146, broke its nine-hole course record set March 27 when they hosted Pleasant Hill, as the Tigers fired a 147.
Notching his first career prep victory, was Smith, carding out at 2-under-par 34 on the Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course back-nine. Smith would have tied the nine-hole school record set March 27 by Quitno, with a birdie and par on his final two holes. However, things did not break Smith’s way, as he finished with a par and bogey.
“I talked to Bronson (during the round) and told him that he needed to play smart golf, and to not take any chances,” Leonard said.
“Bronson missed a short putt on No. 10 for a birdie, and then missed the green and bogeyed on 11,” Leonard said of Smith’s final two holes. But I’m proud of Bronson, and thought he played really well. It’s a big thing for him to shoot under par.”
Following Smith on the leaderboard, was Hammontree who placed second with an even-par 36; Quitno third, 1-over-par 37; Ferry fourth, 3-over-par 39; Carter Swearingen fifth with a 45; and Jonathan Portwood sixth with a 47, as Nevada golfers took the top six spots.
Leonard confirmed that the expectations going forward for his squad are sky high.
“I will be utterly shocked if we don’t qualify as a team for the state tournament,” the 13th-year Tiger golf coach said. “I think if we can get the little things worked out, that we can win a state championship.”
Leonard continued: “Our top four all have the potential of shooting under par. We’ve already seen it from John and Pat, and now Bronson.”
Leonard and company made the trip Saturday to the Sedalia Country Club, sight of the Class 3 State Golf Tournament. The Tigers were able to complete an 18-hole round, as Leonard wanted his squad to get a feel of the course.
“The greens are a little bigger and faster than we’re used to,” Leonard noted. “The fairways are pretty tight. At this course, you have to hit the fairways or you’ll be penalized with a shorter distance if you hit the rough.”
Leonard continued: “The rough is going to grab your club and really take some distance off your shots. If you hit the rough, you’ll have to either club up or chip out. There’s an old saying that ‘you have to take your medicine.’ If you’re going into the rough and wind up bogeying a hole, you’ll need to try to get it back later with a birdie.”
Moving forward, Leonard said his team needs to work on its aim alignment on putts, while also correcting any “stubbed” chip shots.
“I know the potential this team has,” Leonard said. “We just need to stay focused and continue to work on the little things.”
Up next
The Tigers are set to compete in the 19th annual Sonic Invitational Golf Tournament, Monday in Carthage.