Dexter golf team claims Sikeston Invitational

Bulldogs place 7th in multiple format event

sd_sports@yahoo.com

SIKESTON -- The 2010 Sikeston Invitational Golf Tournament has not had very much luck with the weather the last two years.

Last year, the tournament was cancelled due to thunderstorms. This year, the 14 teams that attended had wind, wet surfaces and a chill in the air to contend with on top of the course itself at the Sikeston Country Club.

"It was a little chilly out there but, it was a lot better than last year," Sikeston head coach Andy McGill said.

The Dexter Bearcats had the most luck battling the elements as they placed first as a team with a combined score of 319.

"We had a good day," Dexter coach Eric Sitze said. "The weather was pretty tough but, the kids played well. They had consistent scores up there and I'm proud of them. They did a good job."

Chance Holden scored a 79 while Jon Bowman ended with an 80 to place third and fourth respectively in stroke play competition. Brennan Justice and Jake Cox combined for a score of 81 in the scramble division which gave them a fourth place finish. Logan Robey and Cody Stevens placed third in the four ball division with a score of 79 as well, leading to an eventual first place team finish for the Bearcats.

"We've had probably the most consistent year that I've had with this bunch," said Sitze. "They have just matured. They've slowed down and they're managing the course better.

"Districts are next week and that's what we're trying to get ready for."

The Sikeston Invitational consists of four divisions; scramble play, stroke play, four ball and the overall team score. The top five finishers in each division received medals while the first place scorer or scorers were given a trophy.

"The good thing about this tournament is that it's different," McGill said. "Most tournaments you play five guys and they all play regular stroke play. This one has different divisions and I think the kids have more fun with that."

As a team, the Sikeston Bulldogs finished in seventh place with a score of 349. Sophomore Evan Deere placed fifth in stroke play with an 82 to lead the Bulldogs.

"I didn't think we played particularly well," said McGill. "Evan had a good round going but, he didn't play the back nine very well. The rest of the guys just didn't play well. The conditions had something to do with it but, overall, we didn't play great."

New Madrid County Central finished with a 358 giving them a ninth place finish as a team. Corey Connell and Trent Weaver from Cape Central won first in the scramble division with a 70. Clearwater's Tanner McKinney shot the lowest score of the day earning him a first place trophy in the stroke play division with a score of 73.

Caleb Moss and Will Dorroh of Caruthersville won the four ball division with a 72.

Team Results -- 1. Dexter 319; 2. Notre Dame 326; 3. Kennett 338; St. Vincent 343; 5. Cape Central 345; 6. Jackson 347; 7. Sikeston 349; 8. Doniphan 354; 9. NMCC 358; 10. Caruthersville 385; 11. Perryville 398.

Scramble Division -- 1. Corey Connell, Trent Weaver (Cape Central) 70; 2. Brandon Trapp, Ben Schremp (St. Vincent) 72; 3. Kurt Heischmidt, Cody Cox (Notre Dame) 73; 4. Brennan Justice, Jake Cox (Dexter) 81; 5. Alex Johnson, Trae Norton (Poplar Bluff) 87.

Stroke Play -- 1. Tanner McKinney (Clearwater) 73; 2. Taylor Smith (Doniphan) 75; 3. Chane Holden (Dexter) 79; 4. Jon Bowman (Dexter) 80; 5. Evan Deere (Sikeston) 82.

Four Ball Division -- 1. Caleb Moss, Will Dorroh (Caruthersville) 72; 2. Brett Wengert, Sean Martin (St. Vincent) 77; 3. Logan Robey, Cody Stevens (Dexter) 79; 4. John Gilmore, Davis Caldwell (Poplar Bluff) 80; 5. Jordan Dale, Dustin Tatum (Jackson) 80.