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Warriors fall short in quest to play together at state

It’s the bargain that’s been made by any golfer who has ever picked up a golf club.

For every day that goes just right, when every drive hits the center of the fairway and every putt is true, there will be another day when the golf gods get their revenge.

Unfortunately for the Smithville High boys golf team, the deities were in a vengeful mood Monday, May 4, at the Class 3 District 8 boys golf tournament.

The Warriors arrived at Shiloh Springs Golf Club with big expectations, but some six hours later, walked off the Platte City tract with a relative whimper.

Despite near-perfect conditions, the well-rounded game that gave Smithville confidence it could compete for a team title and a berth at the Class 3 state tourney instead gave way to a struggle for survival, with just two players left standing once the day’s play came to a conclusion.

Senior Charlie King shot an even-par 71 and junior Jake Fletcher came in not far behind at 3-over 74 to earn trips to state, but the Warriors carded a 319 team score, finishing in third place behind defending state champion Kearney (297) and conference-foe Cameron (316).

No district hardware. No state team berth. But also, to coach Trevor Mosby’s credit, no sour grapes.

"We said all along, I knew that it was going to take four guys shooting in the 70s," Mosby said. "Looking at Kearney’s score, that still may not be enough. …

"There’s some good teams in the district out here, and that’s the way golf goes. We weren’t peaking. We weren’t playing our best golf of the year right now."

After advancing three players to state last spring despite brutal conditions at the district tourney at Liberty Hills Country Club, the hope was better weather — not to mention the pre-tournament belief that Shiloh Springs would be an easier course to go low at — would pay dividends for the Warriors.

However, only King — now a three-time state qualifier — and Fletcher were able to take advantage.

The former finished second on the leaderboard, one stroke behind Kearney senior Robert Neumann, and credited his short game for the runner-up showing.

"My wedge play improved a lot today," King said. "I was hitting some good wedge shots, some good approach shots into the green, and I hit some good putts.

"I had a solid round. I played pretty good. There were a couple I could have got back, but 71’s pretty solid out here."

Fletcher also pointed to the flat stick as the reason behind the big smile he carried while climbing the hill between the 18th green and the clubhouse once his day was done.

"I thought my putter really kept me in the game today," Fletcher said. "I made some clutch putts, some birdies that really helped me out.

"I have fun when I play well, and I had fun today. I’m really excited to go back (to state)."

However, that’s where the line had to be drawn as far as the day’s good vibe. Senior Bryant Blank, who also advanced to state last spring, came up short in his repeat bid by shooting an 83, missing the cut by three strokes.

Fellow senior Matt Spies completed Smithville’s team score with a 91, and senior Austin Baker shot a 101 to round out the Warriors contingent.

"I would have liked to see them all go," said Mosby about the Class 3 tourney May 18-19 at Fremont Hills Country Club in Nixa, "because this is the best team we’ve had here."

Sports Editor Scott Tittrington can be reached at 389-6632 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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