By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Helias Catholic Crusaders posted a 314 at this year’s Class 3 District 5 golf tournament in Marshfield on Monday to claim this year’s 2019 district title. The tourney took place at the Whispering Oaks Golf Course.
It was a tough fought victory for the Crusaders who picked up this year’s crown after besting tournament runner-up Springfield Catholic, which carded a 317, by just three strokes. The Bolivar Liberators finished in the tournaments third spot at 357, one stroke ahead of Osage who came in at 358.
The Crusaders were led by Alex Gentry who registered a 76, Ethan Johnson who came in at 77 and Owen Johnson who carded a 79. Rounding out the Helias Catholic scoring were Lane Plunkett with an 82 and Drew Higgins with an 88.
“This was not our best round of the season by any means but it feels really good to get the win,” said Helias Catholic head coach Jay Higgins. “But our team played hard today and survived against a really good Springfield Catholic team. Now we’ve got our sights set on sectionals. We’ve finally got our starters set for our bid for state and our kids are familiar with the course we’ll be playing on so we’re ready to go.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT
Springfield Catholic, who has enjoyed a great season in 2019, got off to a good start at the district tournament but back nine woes would spell a C3D5 runner-up spot for the Fightin’ Irish.
Out in front for Springfield was junior Walker Tynes. Tynes posted a 35 on the front side and an even better 34 on the backside at Whispering Oaks for a tournament low of 69- one under par. His effort earned him top medalist honors.
“I played really well today and hit most of my fairways while posting two birdies and only one bogey,” said Tynes.
Tynes finished two strokes ahead of Moberly’s Bryson Yowell who carded a 71. On the 18th hole of play, after teeing off, Tynes found himself lying in the bunker.
“It was a little nerve racking, but my bunker game is pretty good,” he said. “I felt pretty confident about getting up and down for my par and I did.”
Tynes pitched up to within one foot of the cup to putt out.
Noticeably proud of his No. 1 player was Fightin Irish head coach Don East.
“Walker played really solid for us today,” said the Irish coach. “Any time you can look up on a scoreboard and see your score in red that’s a good thing.”
Rounding out the Fightin Irish scoring was Dane Puckett- 77, Antonio Serrano- 82, Calvin Sanders- 91 and Joseph Muenks- 95.
Although coming up a bit short in their bid for this year’s district crown East felt his kids had nothing to hang their heads about.
“Any time you can walk off a course knowing that you’re going to advance on to the next round you’ve had good day,” said East. “We’re moving on to sectionals now with a chance to move on to state so I’d say these kids got a lot done today. We’re going as a team and that’s what we want to do- go as a team not as individuals. Our kids knew what they had to do today to make that happen and they got it done.”
Both the Crusaders and Fightin Irish will advance on into Monday’s (May 6) sectional round of the state tournament as will the top fifteen and all other C3D5 tournament competitors who carded ninety-nine or under. This year sectionals will take place at Briarbrook Country Club Golf Course in Carl Junction.
C3D5 Area Team Results
Springfield Catholic: 1. Walker Tynes- 69, 2. Antonio Serrano- 82, 3. Dane Puckett- 77, 4. Joseph Muenks- 95 and Calvin Sanders- 91.
Marshfield: 1. Jackson Wolff- 91, 2. James Ghan- 96, 3. Elijah Wolfard- 107, 4. Jarron Harrod- 120 and 5. Randy Wilson- 118.
Bolivar: 1. Aiden Asby- 75, 2. James ‘Alex’ Russell- 91, 3. Quinten Hoffman- 97, 4. Seth Batien- 107 and 5. Travis Bradley- 94.
Team Results
1. Helias Catholic- 314
2. Springfield Catholic- 317
3. Bolivar- 357
4. Osage- 358
5. Moberly- 380
6. Boonville- 400
7. Marshall- 405
8. Marshfield- 412
9. Fulton- 462
C3D5 Top 15
1. Walker Tynes 69- Springfield Catholic
2. Bryson Yowell 71- Moberly
3. Ethan Cline 75- Osage
3- Aiden Asby 75- Bolivar
5. Alex Gentry 76- Helias Catholic
6. Dane Plunkett 77- Springfield Catholic
6. Ehtan Johson 77- Helias Catholic
8. Erin Brady 79- Fulton
8. Owen Johnson 79- Helias Catholic
10. Antonio Serrano 82- Springfield Catholic
10. Lane Plunkett 82- Helias Catholic
10. Grant Mach 82- Marshall
13. Zachary Krantz 83- Osage
14. Jacob Horst 85- Boonville
15. Drew Higgins 88- Helias Catholic
