By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Springfield Catholic Fightin Irish fired a tournament-low 347 to capture this year’s 2023 Class 2 District 3 championship. The tournament, held at the Island Green Golf Course in Republic, took place on Monday, May 8.
Catholic’s Jack Griesemer, who shot an 81, led the Irish effort. He was joined by Drew Stufflebam with an 83, Jack Beykirch with an 87 and Noah Henderson with a 96.
Runner-up honors went to the Willow Springs Bears. The Bears, behind Noah Leslie’s 88 and Brad Altermatt’s 89, carded a 372. Also contributing were Matthew Miller with a 93 and Holt McGinnis with a 104.
As district champions and runners-up, both Springfield and Willow Springs received automatic berths into next week’s state tournament set to take place at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.
Springfield’s Griesemer said although it’s been difficult for them to place in tournaments this season his Irish were primed for the victory.
“We’ve been playing some really tough competition this season, with teams like Glendale and Kickapoo,” he said. “So, placing has been really hard.”
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“But today, against teams in our own class, we felt very confident about our chances of winning,” said the Irish senior. “So, playing well and picking up this year’s tournament title, has been really exciting for all of us.”
Drew Stufflebam said head coach Frank Gallant, back for a second stint with the Irish, did a great job of preparing them for Monday’s district meet.
“Coach told us that the field was tough and to get the win we’d have to grind it out and find ways to score,” said Stufflebam. “That’s what we did today and it paid off.”
Gallant, elated to see his kids walk off the 18th green as 2023 district champions, said he couldn’t be prouder.
“These are really great kids to work with. They work hard, listen, follow directions and always give their best efforts,” said the Irish coach. “They’ve also been getting better at doing the small things, things that help to minimize their scores.”
“We’ve been having kids shoot in the mid-to low 80’s all season, that’s kind of who we are and what we had today,” said Gallant. “Three of our kids carded scores in the 80’s to lead us to the win. These kids are a very special group of young men and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Griesemer, besides leading the Irish to a win with an 81, was also the tournament’s Top Medalist.
“I felt like if I could shoot under 80 I might be able to win the tournament. Although I didn’t do it I was close with an 81, still good enough to get the win,” he said. “Although our top priority was to win district it did feel good to win top medalist honors too. Coach Gallant has been telling me all season that this is my year, with his help it has.”
For the Irish their attention has now turned to next week’s state tournament.
“It’s at Rivercut, a place where we’ve played and played well,” said coach Gallant. “Being in Springfield is extra nice for us because it means we won’t be on the road. Our kids will be sleeping in their own beds and eating at home. All those things have to be a plus for us.”
District 3 Tournament Standings:
1. Springfield Catholic 347
2. Willow Springs 372
3. Greenwood 379
4, Strafford 389
5. Clever 392
6. Stockton 404
7. Sarcoxie 417
8. El Dorado Springs 424
9. Forsyth 432
10. Fair Grove 438
11. Thomas Jefferson 441
12. Lamar 481
13. Warsaw 485
14. Sparta 493
15. Dixon 496
16. Diamond 522
District Champions:
Springfield Catholic
Jack Beykirch – 87
John Sanders Griesemer – 81
Noah Henderson – 96
Drew Stufflebam – 83
District Runnerup:
Willow Springs
Brady Altermatt – 89
Noah Leslie – 88
Holt McGinnis – 104
Matthew Miller – 93
District 3 State Qualifiers:
1. Rees McCullough- El Dorado Springs- 87
2. Koen Littlejohn- Lamar- 88
3. Ethan Newberry- Greenwood- 88
4. Stone, Tucker Liam Strafford- 90
5. Gavin Michael Ogan- Clever- 91
6. Atticus Reed Brandes-Fair Grove- 92
7. Eli Ellis-Sarcoxie- 92
8. Matthew Swayne- Sarcoxie- 92
9. Kyle Dean Elkins-Stockton- 93
10. Jack Tyrrell-Thomas Jefferson Independent- 93
11. Cooper Voliva-Forsyth- 93
12. Matthew Whitworth- Greenwood- 93
All-District selections: (Top 12 plus ties)
1. John Griesemer-Catholic -81
2. Drew Stufflebam,-Catholic- 83
T3. Rees McCullough-El Dorado- 87
T3. Jack Beykirch- Catholic – 87
T5. Ethan Newberry-Greenwood- 88
T5. Koen Littlejohn-Lamar-88
T5. Noah Leslie-Willow Springs- 88
8. Brady Altermatt- Willow Springs- 89
9. Tucker Stone-Strafford -90
T10. Gavin Ogan- Clever -91
T10. Matthew Miller- Willow Springs – 91
T12. Atticus Brandes – Fair Grove – 92
T12. Eli Ellis – Sarcoxie – 92
T12. Matt Swayne – Sarcoxie – 92
