By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Helias Crusaders carded a 295, at Whispering Oaks Golf Course in Marshfield on Monday, to grab the team championship at the Class 3, Sectional 3 tournament. The victory made it three in a row for the Crusaders.
Springfield Catholic placed second in the event with a 309 while Monett and Osage shared the third spot at 323.
Fifty-four golfers, representing 17 schools, teed off on Monday all hoping to earn tickets to the Class 3 state golf tournament next week.
“The tournament was an exceptional one today. Not only for the great weather we had out here but also for the efforts we saw out on the course today,” said Marshfield golf coach and this year’s tournament director Reggie Smith. “I think the scores today are some of the lowest we’ve ever seen. An even par round of 70 by Carl Junction’s Tyler Markham and a team low of 295 by Helias were really great scores.”
Jack Rundle paced the Crusader effort with a 36 on the front and 35 on the back for a 71. Rundle’s round earned him the runner up spot in the tourney.
“Our team played really well today, a 295 is our best effort of the year,” Rundle said. “My round was pretty much a roller coaster ride though. I was three over after six but was able to get it back down to even before finishing one over par.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT
“As for finishing second today that doesn’t upset me at all,” he said. “I played well today and that’s all that really matters. Right now I’m focusing on state.”
Focusing on state is also something Helias coach Jay Higgins is doing.
“This will be our third appearance in a row at state. Our best finish so far has been a sixth place,” said Higgins. “Our goal this year has obviously been to get back to state and win but if our kids can finish in the top three that would really be quite an accomplishment for them.”
Tyler Markham’s even par round of 70 gained top individual honors at the meet.
“I hit a lot of greens today which gave me several opportunities for birdies,” he said. “I was able to card a two under par 33 on the front side which allowed me to be two over on the backside (37) to record an even round of 70. For most of the day I was getting up and down.”
