Willard wins COC golf tournament

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By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

The Willard Tigers fired a team-low 358 to grab this year’s Central Ozark Conference championship held at Horton Smith Golf Course, on Monday, Oct. 3, in Springfield. The win made it back-to-back championships for the Tigers.

Leading the way for Willard was Kylee Hopper. Hopper, a junior, carded a seven-over 77 en route to the Tigers’ win. Rounding out the Willard scorecard was: 2. Aubrey Foster 91, 3. Sara White 92, 4. Emma Howard 98 and 5. Beka Dean 109.

Runner-up honors went to the Ozark Tigers. Ozark, behind top medalist Josey Roberts’ two-over round of 72, posted a 373. Claiming third place were the Joplin Eagles who came in at 381. Kenna Haley, with an 85, registered the Eagles lowest round.

Nine schools participated in this year’s event, an event that tournament director Curt Plotner, of Republic High School, said went very well.

“We had 42 kids out here competing today, and might I add, competing very well,” said Plotner. “The weather couldn’t have been better and all the girls seemed to have had a good time. So I’d have to say today’s tournament was a big success.”

Although this year’s victory made it two-in-a-row for Willard, Tiger head coach Matt Stone said Monday’s win was special.

“Last year’s victory was a big one for us, but we really weren’t expected to win, we just sort of slid in under the radar. Since then our kids have worked hard, put in a lot of time to improve their games and their expectations are very high,” said Stone. “For them, to get to see all the hard work they’ve put in beginning to pay off, as it did today, has been very gratifying.”

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT

Another thing Stone liked was his Tigers’ scorecard. Four of his linksters recorded rounds under 100.

“Yeah, we did have four girls card scores under 100. Sara White, a senior, has stepped up big for us this year. She’s especially been playing well the last two tournaments and today she had a 92,” said the Tiger coach. “Aubrey Foster has also been playing well. Today she struggled some on the front side, but turned things around on the back nine, to shoot a 91.”

“Kylee Hopper, our No. 1 girl, has been playing steady for us all year. Today, with a 77, she turned in another good round,” said Stone. “Overall I’m very pleased with the way our all of girls played. This was a big win for them and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Hopper, although happy with her round, said she felt like she could have played better.

“After having carded a 77, I feel pretty good. Although I didn’t play my best, I was able to get up and down and keep my game together for the most part,” she said. “So I’ll take it.”

Ozark’s Josey Roberts, this year’s top medalist and only a freshman, said en route to recording her tournament low 72, she had a little help from her friends.

“I don’t feel like I chipped well and I didn’t get as close to the pin on my second shot as I would have liked. But I did drive and putt well,” said Roberts. “The girls I was grouped with also played well, so they pushed me, and that helped to keep me focused a lot.”

Next up for Willard will be their District tournament on Friday, Oct. 7 at the Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course.

“We’ve had some success there so we’re familiar with the course. But, with teams like Glendale, Camdenton and Rolla there the field looks to be really tough,” said Willard’s coach Stone. “Winning the COC championship has given our kids a boost of confidence though and it couldn’t have come at a better time. So, we plan to show up for district, and hopefully play well.”

Scorecards: Second Place Ozark- 1. Josey Roberts 72, 2. Sam Cowen 95, 3. Lillie Dopp 101 , 4. Kaileigh Meador 105 and 5. Eva Lathrom 115.

Third Place Joplin- 1. Kenna Haley 85, 2. Lindsey Belnap 94, 3. Chloe Friend 100, 4. Drew Yockey 102 and 5. Taylor Colson 119.

COC Golf Recap

Team Results
1. Willard – 358
2. Ozark – 373
3. Joplin – 381
T4. Nixa – 387
T4. Carl Jct. – 387
6. Branson – 388
7. Republic – 425
8. Webb City – 433
9. Carthage – DNFT

All-Conference

1. Josey Roberts – 72 – Ozark
2. Kylee Hopper – 77 – Willard
3. Shay Gaddis – 78 – Carthage
T4. Macy Pierce – 85 – Nixa
T4. Kenna Haley – 85 – Joplin
6. Maci Rogers – 86 – Branson
7. Izzy Benson – 88 – Republic
T8. Aubrey Foster – 91 – Willard
T8. Addie Foust – 91 – Carthage
10. Sara White – 92 – Willard

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