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Tiger golf team places fourth in Joplin
The Nevada Tiger golf team slotted into a fourth-place finish at the Joplin Golf Foundation Horton-Smith Invitational, held Monday at Schifferdecker Golf Course in Joplin.
Carthage claimed the tournament championship, while Webb City placed second at the 14-school event.
“The day started out cold, and stayed cold all day,” said Nevada golf coach Brian Leonard.
Nevada junior Bronson Smith carded a 7-over-par 78, placing him in a three-way tie for first place. After the sudden-death playoff dust had settled, Carthage’s Robbie Sager had emerged with the individual championship — while, Smith placed runner-up, and Webb City’s Levi French, third.
“Bronson started the day on (par-3) hole No. 4, and stuck his first shot of the day to (within) 3-feet of the cup — and proceeded to drain the putt for a birdie,” recounted Leonard. “He struggled on a couple of holes following that, but got back on track eventually.”
Nevada’s other top 10 finish was achieved by Carter Swearingen, as the junior standout tied for sixth, with a 9-over-par 80. In addition, Nevada’s Matt Thompson and Jonathan Portwood each concluded with a final score of 94.
“Both were good rounds,” said Leonard of Thompson and Portwood’s outings.
Meanwhile, Nevada’s scorecard was rounded out by Jordan Peckman’s 111. Nevada’s Pierson Dennison concluded with a 124, but only the top five scores are included in the final scoring.
“Due to the extreme weather conditions, practice has been limited,” noted Leonard. “I am very pleased with our last two outings. I feel once we continue to play on a regular basis and, get some range-time in, our scores will continue to improve. Our goal is to get down to 330, and hopefully below that when districts roll around (in late-April).”
Up next
Nevada is next set to compete in a match hosted by Pleasant Hill H.S., Thursday. Joining Nevada and Pleasant Hill at Country Creek Golf Club, is Oak Grove H.S.