Challenging conditions test district golfers

The sun finally came out Thursday, and so did a swarm of rain-marooned high school golfers.

Poplar Bluff junior Carr Vernon emerged the sharpest from the rain-delayed golf season, shooting a 2-over-par 74 to claim the title of medalist at the Class 4 District 1 tournament at a well-watered Dalhousie Golf Club.

Vernon, who posted a four-shot victory, provided a glimpse of what the golf season has evolved into during nearly two straight weeks of storms over Southeast Missouri. He's gotten used to tornado sirens in his backswing, including such a warning in his nine-hole district practice round Wednesday at Dalhousie.

"We all got in the cart shed and hunkered down for about 20 minutes or so," Vernon said with a smile.

At least he wasn't in flood-ravaged Poplar Bluff, Mo., which has made the national news with flooding from the Black River. He said his home has not been affected by the flooding.

Jackson's Tanner Werner hits a drivers off the No. 6 tee box during the Class 4 District 1 meet Thursday at Dalhousie Golf Club. Werner tied for second place. (Fred Lynch)

But on Thursday, Carr and the 49 other golfers in the 10-team field were dealing with the effects of 22 inches of rain that fell on the course in the last two weeks, Dalhousie director of golf Jack Connell said. The maintenance crew had not been able to cut the rough for the last week.

That led to long grass and a long day for many.

Most golfers in the field shot above their season averages, and many were well above.

"This is probably the highest scores I've seen," said Dick Wadlington, coach of district host Central that had three players shoot 100 or higher. "It was very difficult with all the rain we've had."

Vernon finished four shots clear of defending district champion Tanner Werner of Jackson, Poplar Bluff teammate Collin Davis and Lindbergh's Drew Ervin.

Central's Corey Connell tees off on hole No. 4 Thursday.

"It's always good to rely on an anchor," Davis said about Carr. "He's been so consistent and is good for our program."

Bluff, which has won all but two events on its schedule this season, earned the team title with a 320 that was 11 shots better than district runner-up Lindbergh.

Poplar Bluff, Lindbergh and the top 15 scorers not on those teams advanced to Wednesday's Class 4 sectional at Westwood Hills Country Club in Poplar Bluff. The two top teams and 15 scorers advanced directly to the state meet in previous years.

The top two teams at next week's four-team sectional as well as the top 12 scorers not on those teams will advance to the state meet at the Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, Mo.

Jackson finished third in the team standings with a 341, but the Indians advanced Werner, a senior, as well as senior Brett Leimbach (83) and junior Connor Thrower (87). Central placed sixth at 370 but advanced junior Corey Connell (82) and freshman Travis Simmons (87).

Corey Connell said the rough was the longest he's encountered this season.

"Sometimes you got lucky and plugged it and got a free drop," Corey Connell said. "It was thick, where you had to 9-iron or pitching wedge out. You couldn't do much more. If you kept in the fairway, that 74 that Carr shot and the 78s were definitely in reach."

Vernon shot a 2-under 34 on the front nine but had four bogeys on the back, which included two three-putts.

"I wanted to shoot under par,but that just didn't happen," Vernon said. "I'm pleased with a 74."

Werner had edged Vernon by a stroke at last year's district tournament at Aberdeen Golf Course in Eureka, Mo.

"I don't think about it individually," Vernon said. "It's a team sport. I want our team to win and that's all I care about."

Werner also had his best nine over the front, shooting a 1-over-par 37.

"On the front nine, I had a lot of not necessarily good birdie opportunities, but I put a good roll on them and they just didn't fall," Werner said. "There's not a lot you can do about it."

He put his tee shot in the water on No. 10 and bogeyed -- the first of six on the back nine. He broke a string of four straight bogeys with a birdie on the par-5 No. 18.

"I really just wanted to qualify," Werner said about the sectional. "I hadn't been playing that well. I didn't want to put the pressure on myself and feel like I had to win. I just wanted to qualify. But after the front nine, I had a shot."

Werner was like many in the field in that he did not play much golf in the week leading up to the district tournament. He said the Indians only practiced once in the previous eight days, which consisted of five holes and a couple buckets of balls Tuesday.

"That definitely affected it, but I wasn't the only one affected, so that's kind of how you have to think of it," Werner said. "It affected the rest of the players just as it did me."

Team scores -- Poplar Bluff 320, Lindbergh 331, Jackson 341, Oakville 363, Rockwood Summitt 366, Central 370, Seckman 371, Mehlville 387, Northwest House Springs 393, Fox 412

Central -- Corey Connell 82, Travis Simmons 87, Christopher Reeder 100, William Anderson 101

Jackson -- Tanner Werner 78, Brett Leimbach 83, Connor Thrower 87, Drew Hosp 93

Lindbergh -- Drew Ervin 78, Justin Stacer 83, Kyle Young 83, John Heutel 87

Poplar Bluff -- Vernon Carr 74, Collin Davis 78, Jacob Russell 80, Hunter Pyland 88

Top 15 sectional qualifiers

Tanner Werner, Jackson 78

Dylan Saxner, Seckman 81

Corey Connell, Central 82

Brett Leimbach, Jackson 83

Robert Ray, Rockwood Summit 86

Connor Thrower, Jackson 87

Travis Simmons, Central 87

Dylan Bickings, Rockwood Summit 88

Rylan Smelcer, Oakville 88

Brock Mueller, Fox 89

Anthony Knittig, Seckman 90

Ryan Hancock, Oakville 91

Justin Komos, Mehlville 91

Kyler Dill, Oakville 91

Cam Crouthers, Oakville 92