By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Adam Floyd fired a tournament low 72, Lucas Ogden a 77 and Max Bowman a 78 to lead the Glendale High School Falcons to this year’s Class 4 District 3 Golf Championship on Monday at Whispering Oaks Golf Course in Marshfield.
The Falcons posted a 310 for their day’s work, six strokes better than the runner-up Rolla Bulldogs who carded a 316. Placing third were the Lebanon Yellowjackets who registered a 330.
“Despite the cold and wet weather conditions we experienced throughout the day I think our kids played really well. We struggled some today but they hung in there to get the win and I’m very proud of their effort,” said Glendale head coach Chris Obert. “It’s been a couple of years since we last won a district title so we’re all happy to be back in the winner’s circle once again.”
But, as Obert pointed out his Falcons did struggle early.
“I triple bogeyed on the first hole of play,” said Floyd. “I was kind of disappointed after that but once I got into my round I started making some better swings. I began making pars and even a couple of birdies the rest of the way.”
“I blew up on a couple of holes today. I got a quadruple bogey on number four and a double on number nine,” said Lucas Ogden in assessing his 77. “But other than that I played pretty consistent.”
Obert said that maturity has played a key role in this year’s Falcon success.
“Our kids all understand that it’s okay to have a few bumps in the road,” said the Falcon coach. “It’s all about how you recover from those adversities that makes the difference, as it did today.”
Floyd carded a three over par 38 on his front nine and a one under par 34 on the backside en route to his 72 and a 2021 C4D3 individual championship.
“It really feels good being able to win both a team and individual district title this year,” said Floyd. “I recently won the Springfield City Championship and right now I feel like I’m playing some of the best golf I’ve ever played.”
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Finishing out the Falcon scorecard on Monday was Travis Peak with an 83 and Matthew Barnes with an 89.
Although Rolla may have been disappointed in their second place finish, according to coach Zachary Nixon, it was still a good day of golf for the Bulldogs.
“We really didn’t play our best today. But our kids didn’t quit, they stuck it out and finished strong,” said Nixon. “Now, because of that effort, we’ll be competing as a team at state for the first time since 2009.”
The Bulldogs, as did the Falcons, qualified four linksters to compete at this year’s state meet. Because they’ll be taking four golfers to the ‘Big Dance’ they’ll also be able to enter as a team.
In rounding out the top three’s scoring runner-up Rolla was led by Jonathan Jordan with a 74. Also scoring for the Bulldogs were Evan Calench 79, Nick Jones 81, Nathaniel Pulliam 83 and Jack Gesualdi 87.
Third place Lebanon was led by Grant Carr with a 76. He was joined by Canon Roark 83, Mason Bowman 84, Houston Brackett 87 and Wesley Chaffin 90.
Marshfield Blue Jay head coach and C4D3 tournament director Reggie Smith said that this year’s district tournament was a successful one and that he looks for his district to be well represented at next week’s state meet.
“Glendale and Rolla both put up competitive scores today. I think they could do very well next week as could several of our individual entrants,” said Smith. “One things certain though. Competing for a state championship, either as a team, individual or both will be a great opportunity for a lot of our kids.”
Glendale’s Obert agrees.
“I think if our boys can play consistently and go as low as they can, with their ability, I think we’ll have an excellent opportunity to bring home a trophy,” said the Falcon coach.
Nineteen linksters qualified to compete as individuals at this year’s state tournament which is set to take place at Twin Hills Country Club Golf Course in Joplin on Monday and Tuesday (May 17 & 18). They are listed below.
District Results
1. Glendale 310
2. Rolla 316
3. Lebanon 330
4. Branson 348
5. Willard 355
6. Camdenton 365
T7. Bolivar 369
T7. Marshfield 369
9. West Plains 377
10. Monett 386
11. Union 396
12. Neosho 408
13. McDonald County 446
All-District Team- State Qualifiers
1. Adam Floyd-72-Glendale
T2. Jonathan Jordan- 74-Rolla
T2. Gunnar Schuster-74-Camdenton
T2. Luke Morris-74-Hillcrest
T5. Grant Carr-76-Lebanon
T5. Aiden Asby-76-Bolivar
7. Lucas Ogden-77-Glendale
8. Max Bowman-78-Glendale
T9. Nathan Woodmansee-79-Branson
T9. Evan Calench-79-Rolla
T11. Nick Jones-81-Rolla
T11. Logan Woodridge-81-Willard
T11. Garrett Klenke-81-Union
T14. Nathaniel Pulliam-82-Rolla
T14. Eric Davidson-82-West Plains
T16. Travis Peak-83-Glendale
T16. Canon Roark-83-Lebanon
T16. Jackson Wolff-83-Marshfield
T16. Luke Gardner-83-Marshfield
