2 golfers finish in Top 10 at Joplin Invitational
Carthage golf coach Lowell Catron was impressed with the Tigers’ performance on Thursday.
And for good reason, Carthage finished second in its first tournament of the year at the Joplin Invitational on a damp morning at Twin Hill Golf Country Club.
Carthage, which had two golfers finish in the top 10, probably would have finished first anywhere else. The Tigers, though, ran into defending Class 4 state champion Glendale, which not only took first, but also took third in the 19-team field.
Glendale White captured first overall by shooting a 304. Carthage finished 12 strokes behind the fivesome that won the Class 4 state championship last season for second.
“I was real pleased with the scores today,” said Catron. “Our four seniors experience really paid off today.”
Glendale Blue finished third with a 322, followed by Kickapoo 325 and West Plains 341.
Carthage had four of its five finished with a score of 80 or better.
Seniors Trevor Freeman and Brady Bridges fired a 6-over-par 78 to lead the Tigers. Brian Steele, a senior at Glendale, shot 1-over-par 73 to finish first.
Erin Campbell and Ethan Giett, who finished tied for 13th, each shot 8-over-par 80 and freshman Derek Peterson finished with a 90.
“I was really proud of Ethan and Brady with the way they played,” Catron said. “Derek, competing in his first tournament, learned a lot today and our four seniors did a great job of picking him up.”
The Webb City Cardinals took sixth (342), Carl Junction placed seventh (344), Nevada finished eighth (344); host Joplin finished ninth (346) and Hillcrest (359) rounded out the Top 10.
The Tigers’ junior varsity will compete at two tournaments next week, while the varsity prepares for the Carthage Sonic Invitational and the Ozark Tournament.
