By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There were 87 golfers representing 18 schools in the Marshfield Invitational on Tuesday, Apr. 8 at Whispering Oaks Golf Course. And despite soggy early morning fairways and a windy afternoon it was a great day for golf.
That was especially true for the Rolla Bulldogs. The Bulldogs, behind Channy Jordan’s 74 and Wyatt Bahr’s 76, carded a team low score of 319 to claim this year’s Marshfield Invitational title.
Runner-up honors went out to the Lebanon Yellowjackets who came in at 330, one stroke ahead of the third place tournament host Marshfield Blue Jays who posted a 331.
Rolla head coach Zack Nixon said that his Bulldogs have a new approach to the game this year and so far it’s paying off.
“We’ve spent a lot more time this year going over team goals, our kids practice with purpose a lot more and on the course, we’re all business. It’s helped our kids to, more or less, cement as a team,” said Nixon.
“We also have great leadership. That combined, with everybody working towards a common goal,” said the Rolla coach, “has already paid off some big dividends for our kids.”
Channy Jordan topped the Bulldog’s scorecard with a 74.
“I got off to a rocky start this morning and I shot a three over par 38 on the front side. But as the day progressed I began to play much better,” said Channy. “I birdied 15 and 16 to card a one over par 36 on the backside to come in at 74. The wind was really tough though, and I just hit knock downs, but I feel like played pretty well.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT
So far the new year has been a good one for the Lebanon Yellowjackets. Last week, in Marshfield in the Jackets finished first in the Seymour Invitational. Although they came up a bit short on Tuesday, a second place finish in this week’s Marshfield Invitational didn’t disappoint head coach Trey Overstreet.
“Our kids have had a great year so far. Besides last week’s Seymour title this makes two seconds on the year for them,” said the Lebanon coach. “We got a really good showing from our No. 1, Ethan Mustard who carded an 80, our No. 4 man Mason Bowman who recorded an 81 and our No. 5 Drew Bowling who shot an 84. So overall I’d say our day was very good.”
As was Overstreet, Marshfield head coach Reggie Smith said his kids took a big step in the tournament.
“I feel like our kids played very well. Merlin Davis, who shot an 85 and Janson Rust, who carded an 88 had probably their best rounds of the year,” said Smith. “We also had two of our kids medal. Luke Gardner, with a 77, and Mike Alves with an 81, played extremely well today. These efforts are really encouraging and something to build on.”
Smith wasn’t the only member of the Blue Jay squad that was happy.
“This was our best effort of the year,” said Gardner. “As a team we all played pretty well, finished third and have a trophy to take back to school. Yeah, I’d say we had a pretty good day.”
Top medalist honors went out to Monett’s Jaxson Bailey. Bailey carded a three over par round of 38 on the front side and an even 35 on the back to post a 73.
“Even though it was pretty windy today I feel like I played well,” said the Monett freshman. “My irons were especially working good for me. I hit a lot of shots onto the green. Because of that I was able to make some good putts.”
Top ‘3’ Team Scores: First Place Rolla 319: 1. Channy Jordan 74, 2. Nick Jones 81, Wyatt Bahr 76, Chayton Jordan 88 and Easton Brown 98.
Second Place Lebanon 330: 1. Ethan Mustard 80, 2. Titen Haney 85, 3. Kory Hough 89, 4. Mason Bowman 81 and Drew Bowling 84.
Third Place Marshfield 331: 1. Luke Gardner 77, Michael Alves 81, Wyatt Davis 90, Merlin Dennis 85 and Janson Rust 88.
Team ‘Top 10’ Results:
1. Rolla- 319
2. Lebanon- 330
3. Marshfield- 331
4. Republic- 337
5. Monett- 353
6. Bolivar- 356
7. West Plains- 365
8. Hollister- 369
9. Strafford- 396
10. New Covenant- 400
Medalists:
1. Jaxson Bailey- 73- Monett
2. Channy Jordan- 74- Rolla
3. Wyatt Bahr- 76- Rolla
4. Luke Gardner- 77- Marshfield
5. Aiden Asby- 77- Bolivar
6. Cason Bekemeier- Republic
7. Garrett Snyder- 79- Hollister
8. Ethan Mustard- 80- Lebanon
9. A. Medlin- 80- Pierce City
10. Michael Alves- 81- Marshfield
11. Nick Jones- 81- Rolla
12. Mason Bowman- 81- Lebanon
