By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Springfield Catholic’s Fightin Irish topped a field of 13 teams on Tuesday to grab this year’s Ozark Invitational played at Fremont Hills Golf Course.
The Irish, behind Reagan Zibilski’s 66 and Kayla Pfitzner’s 69, posted a team low 288 to claim this year’s Ozark Invitational title.
Finishing second were the Ozark Lady Tigers who recorded a 367. Third place went out to Carthage, which came in at 389.
The victory made it three in a row for the Irish whose 288 ranks as one of the top scores in the state.
“This was a good win for our girls today. They all stepped up and played some great golf,” said Irish coach Frank Gallant. “Reagan’s 66 and Kayla’s 69, both sub-par rounds, were big for us but we also got great efforts from Lyla Louderbaugh who carded a 76 and Kyleigh Pfitzner who came it at 77. Those were all really impressive marks, especially here at Fremont Hills. It’s a tough course.”
“Our 288 was equally impressive. I think it’s the second best score recorded in the state on a par 71 course,” said Gallant. “I’m really proud of just how well all of our kids played. Putting up a score like that takes a total team effort and that’s exactly what we got from them today.”
Kayla Pfitzner fired a 37 on the front nine and a 32 on the back en route to putting up her two under par round of 69.
“I played pretty good today. I struggled some on the front side and had a few three putts but things got a lot better on the backside,” said Pfitzner. “I eagled 11 and followed that up with birdies on 12 and 13 so I was pretty happy by the end of the day. Going from two over to four under was wild. But you just have to ride the wave and keep focused on the big picture.”
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Pfitzner also birded number two.
ibilski, who recorded a 34 on the front nine and a 32 on the back on her way to a five under par 66, finished out her day as the tournament’s top medalist. It’s an honor that has followed her throughout the season.
So how has she managed playing so well week after week.
“I just go out and try to be consistent every day. That’s very important to me,” said Zibilski.
Playing well at Fremont Hills was also important to Zibilski and her Irish teammates.
“Last year we missed out on a state title by just two strokes. The near miss has motivated us all to go out and play our best every day. We want take a state title back to Catholic this year,” said Zibilski.
“We showed everybody that we can compete here at Fremont Hills today,” said the Irish top medalist. “Our state tournament will be played here this year so if we keep working and improving every day, like we have so far, I think we’re going to have a great shot at winning state this year.”
Scoring:
Catholic: 1. Reagan Zibilski 34-32-66, 2. Kayla Pfitzner 37-32-69, 3. Lyla Louderbaugh 39-37-76, 4. Kyleigh Pfitzner 40-37-77, 5. Celia Stiltner 48-49-97.
Ozark: 1. Elizabeth Freeman 45-45-90, 2. Madelynn Jenkins 50-49-99, 3. Georgia Fraser 51-41-92, 4. Madelynn Greenlee 45-43-88, 5. Olivai Hanks 48-49-97.
Scoreboard
1. Catholic – 288
2. Ozark – 367
3. Carthage – 389
4. Greenwood – 397
5. Logan-Rogersville – 400
6. Ozark JV – 401
7. Branson – 432
8. West Plains – 455
9. Willard – 461
10. Nixa – 484
11. Buffalo – 510
12. Parkview – 518
13. West Plains JV – 521
Medalists
1. Reagan Zibilski – 66 – Catholic
2. Kayla Pfitzner – 69 – Catholic
3. Lyla Louderbaugh – 76 – Catholic
4. Kyleigh Pfitzner – 77 – Catholic
5. Ashtynn Russell – 81 – Bolivar
6. Brooke Wagner – 87 – Logan-Rogersville
7. Sara Golden – 87 – Carthage
8. Melody Wang – 87 – Greenwood
9. Madelynn Greenlee – 88 – Ozark
10. Hailey Bryant – 90 – Carthage
