Freeman, Campbell, Bridges prepare for 2008 state tournament

It comes down to one last tournament.
   

The Carthage Tiger golf team is coming off a conference championship and a third-place finish at the Class 3 District 6 tournament.
   

Now, the Tigers have their eyes set on the biggest prize — an individual state championship.
   

Carthage, though, will not have the luxury of four members, as it did last year, to compete for a team title.
   

“This year we can only place as individuals,” said senior Brady Bridges, who is making his second trip to state. “There is no team involved really.”
   

Instead, Carthage needs each of its three qualifiers to have a pair of quality rounds on Monday and Tuesday to compete for an individual championship.
   

“It’s always more fun to take the team, however, taking three to state is still a great accomplishment,” said coach Lowell Catron. “We prepare from day one of practice for state. That’s always our goal.

“What we work hard on every day is preparing to play a solid round of golf. We stress short game and the mental side of things.”

Seniors Trevor Freeman, Erin Campbell and Bridges are familiar with the state level. Freeman lightly regards the state tournament as: The “crown Jewel” of competition of Missouri golf.
   

“This week I’m going to work a lot on my putting ... my five-footers and six-footers,” said Freeman, who is making his third trip to the state tournament. “I have to make sure my short irons are accurate.”
   

So, does a golfer of Freeman’s caliber have any weaknesses?
   

“Driving has always been a weakness of mine,” he explained. “I have to work on that. When we went (to Rivercut) for (the Springfield Tournament), I hit two drivers. The rest were three-woods.”
   

Rivercut has not been overbearing by any means this season, but nonetheless, the course is challenging.
   

“Rivercut is a great venue for state,” Catron said. “It’s not overly hard, but it’s definitely not easy. It separates the golfers’ abilities.
   

“It’s a beautiful public course.”
   

Campbell, making his third trip to state, is coming off a stellar district tournament — capturing medalist honors.
   

“I think I, finally, realized you don’t have to have a different mindset (for the state tournament),” said Campbell, who led the Tigers last season at state with a two-day total of 159. “It’s nothing different ... we have had better competition at the Springfield Tournament.
   

“I’m sure there will be a couple of good players, but most of them I’m pretty sure we all can beat if we play good golf.”
   

The Tigers, realistically, will not have to worry about a team title this year with only three qualifiers. That, however, isn’t changing the fact all three want to compete for an individual championship.
   

“You’re just worrying about yourself really,” Campbell said.
   

The Tigers have two second-place team finishes in the past five years — 2003 and 2006. A team title is not on the line but, as Freeman reiterates, there is only one option ... to bring home an individual title.
   

“They should all be confident,” Catron added. “They all have the ability to place in state. Mentally, they should be ready.”