By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Joplin Eagles posted a scorching 309 to grab this year’s Central Ozark Conference Tournament Championship at the Greene Hills Golf course in Willard on Monday.
Top medalist Harry Saterlee, with a five over par round of 75, led the Eagle effort. Only one stroke back at 76 were teammates Wyatt Satterlee and Fielding Campbell.
Also scoring for the Eagles were Ethan Sage with an 82 and Hobbs Campbell with an 85.
Webb City registered a 327 to grab 2021 runner-up honors while Ozark and Carl Junction tied for the third spot posting 329’s.
Greene Hills golf course proved to be more than challenging for the ten team field that vied for this year’s COC title, including Harry Satterlee.
“I had a pretty rough start and it was starting to get to me. I shot a five over par 40 on the front nine,” said Saterlee. “But I decided that what I needed to do was stop worrying about it so much and just go out and play.”
Satterlee, who carded two birdies on the day, went on to record an even par 35 on the backside for his 75.
It was yet another big win for the Eagles who have lost only once this year.
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“It’s been such a great season for our kids, they play so hard,” said Eagle head coach Jack Pace. “Their efforts have made my job an easy one. Today all I really had to do was just get them here on time. Once we got here they took over.”
“Today’s win was special though, a conference tournament title,” said Pace. “This should give them an extra boost of confidence as they head to district next week.”
Willard head coach and this year’s COC tournament director Matt Stone said he feels that the COC tournament has helped prepare it’s teams for what lies ahead.
“Conference and district tournaments are two of the biggest tournaments of the year so when teams get to this point of the season they all hope to be playing well,” said Stone. “It’s a final tune-up before heading to district and hopefully on to state.”
“Joplin has been playing well all season, Nixa and Ozark have been competitive and we saw some great things from Webb City, Carl Junction and Republic today,” said the Willard coach.
But, as Stone sees it, just who will be moving on to state from the COC conference is still up for grabs.
“That’s one of the most exciting things about golf,” said Stone. “Teams, or individuals, who didn’t necessarily play well this week will get another chance to tee up next week just like everybody else. And as we all know anything is possible. So I’d say all of our kids still have a lot to look forward to.”
Rounding out the scoring for the COC Tournament’s top three teams:
Keegon Dill, with a 77, was tops on runner-up Webb City’s card. He was joined by Carson Frazier 78, Cody Frazier 84, Dylan Burlingame 88 and Jager Carter 101.
Kyler Smith, who fired a 76, led the third place Ozark effort. Also scoring for the Tiger’s were C.J. Jackson 80, Cater Chronister 84, Alijah Hampton 89 and Seth Palen 92.
Carl Junction, who shared third place honors with the Tigers, were led by Jacob Teeter’s 77. Also carding scores for the Bulldogs were Zach Wrenson 83, Cooper Wyrick 84, Noah Williams 85 and Tommy Walker 91.
COC Results
1. Joplin 309
2. Webb City 327
T3. Ozark 329
T3. Carl Junction 329
T5. Nixa 343
T5. Republic 343
T7. Branson 348
T7. Carthage 348
9. Willard 354
10. Neosho 385
All Conference Team
75- Harry Saterlee- Joplin
76- Wyatt Saterlee- Joplin
76- Fielding Campbell- Joplin
76- Kyler Smith- Ozark
76- Xavier Woodward- Neosho
77- Jacob Teeter- Carl Junction
77- Keegon Dill- Webb City
78- Carson Frazier- Webb City
79- Griffin Frey- Republic
80- C.J. Jackson- Ozark
