Area Golfers Qualify for State Meet

MICDS golf coch Ron Holtman remembers a quote from the late Tony Lema that he said fits his standout golfer Parker Goldman.

"Champagne Tony said that a golfer has to be able to forget his last shot, whether it be good or bad," Holtman said. "Parker has that trait and  his mental toughness is one of his strengthes."

Goldman hopes to use that mental toughness to good use Monday and Tuesday as he tees it up at the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 3 Tournament at the Silo Ridge Country Club in Bolivar.

The junior hopes to at least equal his impressive finish at state last year as he was tied for seventh individually and was thus named all-state.

"I would be surprised if Parker doesn't have another good state tournament," Holtman said. "He is probably the shortest guy on the team but he hits it a long way. He doesn't have many bad holes but if he does he is able to overcome it and go to the next hole."

Goldman was the top player on a balanced Ram team this year which won the ABC Conference Tournament. Goldman led the way with an impressive 73 at Old Warson Country Club.

Goldman qualified for state after finishing in a second place tie at the Class 3 Sectional 2 Tournament at Aberdeen as he shot a 75.

The top 15 individuals in addition to the top two teams qualify from sectional to state. The Rams were not able to make it as a team but senior Kyle Adamson will join Goldman individually at state. Adamson, who also was a state qualifier last year, finished sixth at the sectional with an 80.

Jake Leonard will be the representative from John Burroughs at the Class 3 meet as he finished 10th, shooting an 83 at Aberdeen.

Ladue's Seth Smith will play in the MSHSAA Class 4 Tournament as he finished seventh in the Class 4 Sectional 1 Tournament with a 78 at Westwood Hills. The Class 4 Tournament will be played at Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield.

The state tournament will be 36 holes and will be played Monday (May 16) and Tuesday (May 17).