By Brock Sisney (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
CARTHAGE — The Glendale Falcons came away from their hour-long drive to the Carthage Golf Course with a team championship and three individual medalists, including the overall winner, Monday in the 18-school Sonic Invitational.
The Falcons were led by sophomore Max Bowman, who shot a 3-under par 68 and prevailed in a two-hole playoff against Nevada junior Owen Swearingen. Bowman and Swearingen each birdied on the first playoff hole, then Swearingen three-putted and bogeyed on No. 11 and Bowman made par for the victory.
Adam Floyd tied for third at 2-over 73, Lucas Ogden finished eighth at 5-over 76, and Travis Peak and Jackson Brawner rounded out the quintet of Falcons competing at 82 and 87, respectively. The Falcons’ 299 team tally proved to be 10 strokes better than second place Joplin.
“It was a great day,” Glendale head coach Chris Obert said. “Max played great out there, you know he’s just a sophomore so he’s got a lot of great years ahead of him. The guys just came together today and had some great scores. Looking forward to postseason now and carrying that momentum in that direction.
“We have a busy couple weeks ahead of us. This time of year, we’re just trying to get where the guys keep things simple. If you keep things simple, the scores get lower. Hopefully, they can get on that same track.”
Bowman earned his first individual title at the high school level with his superb 20 holes of golf on Monday. He especially sizzled on the front nine with a 3-under 32 (best nine holes of the day by any golfer) and shot even on the back. Bowman made six birdies, nine pars, and three bogeys during his round.
“It was a nice course,” Bowman said. “I played here one or two times before, just because my dad used to live out here. We came down and played a practice round (Sunday). I liked the course. There were good conditions and the weather was great. I enjoyed it.
“Best round in high school, for sure. I’ve had a rough few turns. I shot 74 at Old Kinderhook last week, but this was definitely my best score.”
Glendale won the SPS Invitational at Millwood earlier this season and Bowman tied for second with a 78 in that tourney for his previous best finish. Bowman has been the Falcons’ highest individual finisher in three of his first four varsity tournaments.
Swearingen’s day included six birdies, nine pars, and three bogeys. He shot 34 on the front and 34 on the back side for one balanced round.
Of course, Bowman and Swearingen both avoided the dreaded double and triple bogeys that can often be the ruination of any round of golf.
Joplin finished second for the first time this season, after winning the Bird Dog Invitational, their own invitational, the Horton Smith Invitational, and the Ozark Invitational. Harry Satterlee tied for third with a 2-over 73, Fielding Campbell placed fifth with a 3-over 74, Wyatt Satterlee shot a 80, Ethan Sage carded a 82, and Hobbs Campbell shot a 88.
Fielding Campbell shot 1-under par on the front nine but he cooled off down the stretch. Harry Satterlee shot 1-over on both the front and back nine.
Glendale and Joplin combined for half of the individual medalists on Monday.
2021 Sonic Invitational
at Carthage Golf Course
Team Scores — Glendale +15, Joplin +25, Ozark +34, Rogersville +51, Republic +52, Lockwood +61, Neosho +64, Nevada +65, Webb City +66, Carthage +69, Mt. Vernon +78, Seneca +78, McAuley Catholic +116, McDonald County +118, Monett +119, Lamar +131, Hillcrest +140, Sarcoxie +147, Carthage JV +167.
Top 10 Individual Finishers — Max Bowman, Glendale 68. Owen Swearingen, Nevada 68. Harry Satterlee, Joplin 73. Adam Floyd, Glendale 73. Fielding Campbell, Joplin 74. Griffin Frey, Republic 75. Kanon Gipson, Rogersville 76. Lucas Ogden, Glendale 76. Kyler Smith, Ozark 77. Kaden Parker 77.
