R-2 WILDCAT GOLFERS FINISH SECOND IN EMO CONFERENCE TOURNEY

R-2 WILDCAT GOLFERS FINISH SECOND IN EMO CONFERENCE TOURNEY

LICHTENBERG, SULLIVAN and LOTTON EARN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS 

The Montgomery County R-2 Wildcats’ golf team played in the East Missouri (EMO) Conference Tournament last Wednesday, April 18, at the Warrenton Golf Course (Par 70).  The Wildcats were hoping to win the conference title this year, but came up a bit short and finished in second place (9 teams) behind Orchard Farm.  This was somewhat disappointing for the Wildcats, but certainly nothing to be ashamed about. 

In addition to the teams’ second place finish, two Wildcats earned All-Conference honors by finishing in the Top 15 scores for the tournament.  Brady Lichtenberg and Adam Sullivan each shot an 88 and finished in a 3-way tie for 6^th place (Lichtenberg 5 pars and Sullivan 4 pars).  The medalist/lowest score for the tournament was an 81, by Dustin Mann from Orchard Farm. 

As was previously written, Orchard Farm won the conference title with a team score of 337 (based on the 4 best scores out of 5 golfers).  The Wildcats had a team score of 362.  The rest of the teams in the tournament and their team scores were:  Wright City (383), Bowling Green (395), Silex (405), Elsberry (433), Van-Far (455), Community R-VI (468), and Winfield (533). 

In addition to Lichtenberg and Sullivan, Shane Lotton had the third best score for R-2 with a 90 (5 pars), and Andrew Gaines had the fourth best score with a 96 (2 pars).  Alex Arens was the other R-2 golfer and he finished with a 97 (2 birdies and 4 pars). 

Six days earlier, on April 12, the Wildcats played in the Warrenton Tournament (on the same course as the conference tournament) and finished in fourth place in their division (9 teams).  There were actually 18 teams that competed in the Warrenton Tournament, however the teams were divided into two 9-team divisions.  

The Wildcats were in the White Division and finished with a team score of 351 (based on the 4 best scores out of 5 golfers).  Warrenton won the White Division with a team score of 317.  St. Charles finished second with a team score of 337 and Pacific was third with a team score of 348.  The other teams in the White Division (with their team score) were:  St. Clair (352), Wright City (403), Union (475), Van-Far (486) and Winfield (524). 

Individually, Lichtenberg and Arens finished in the White Division’s Top 15 golfers.  Brady finished in 5^th place with an 81 (1 birdie and 9 pars).  Alex finished tied for 11^th place with an 87 (4 pars).  Gaines finished with R-2’s third best score with a 91 (4 pars) and Lotton had the fourth best score with a 92 (1 birdie and 4 pars).  Sullivan was R-2’s other golfer and he finished with a 94 (7 pars).

With these tournaments the Wildcats now have a record of 25 wins and 7 losses – based on how many teams they have competed against and scored better than or worse than. 

This week the Wildcats ended the “regular” season with a home match on Monday, April 23, against Silex and Community R-6.  Then on Tuesday, April 24, they will compete with 10 other teams in the Missouri District 3 Tournament for Class 2 schools (based on high school enrollment numbers) to try to qualify for the State Playoffs.  This tournament will be held in Hannibal, at the Norwood Golf Course. 

Congratulations to the Wildcats on a job well done in these tournaments.  Also, best wishes to you for continued success in the District Playoffs as you try to move on to the State Sectional Tournament and then to the State Finals.