Central, St. Vincent tee off in state golf tourneys

With three seniors -- including a two-time top-20 state finisher -- in tow, the Central golf team will try to take advantage of its first team state berth in over a decade when the Class 4 state golf tournament begins Monday at the Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Mo.

Todd Obergoenner, a senior, won the district tournament for a second straight year earlier this month. He finished fifth in the state last year. Obergoenner is joined by fellow seniors Ty Gramling and Tyson Seabaugh as well as sophomores Blake Driskell and Kirk Lohmann.

"Three of them have been together since freshman year and have played all four years in high school, so they're very excited," Central coach Dick Wadlington said.

Central finished second in its district, losing the top spot to Poplar Bluff in a playoff. The Tigers' only dual loss this season also came at the hands of the Mules.

Wadlington said Poplar Bluff is one of the top teams in the state heading into the two-day tournament so playing so competitively with them should give Central some confidence.

"I like our chances," Wadlington said. "We've been playing good, and we've been competitive all year, especially with Poplar Bluff."

Blake McDowell will represent Jackson in Class 4 at the state tournament.

St. Vincent qualified for the state tournament in Class 2, which will be played Monday and Tuesday at the Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield, Mo.

St. Vincent's team will be made up of freshman Zach Richardet, juniors Danny Rellergert, Grant Pingel and Jacob DeWilde and senior Scott Prost.

"They're really excited; most of them haven't been there before," St. Vincent coach Tom Prost said. "They're excited to see what type of competition is up there."

The Indians made the state tournament as a team two years ago with Scott Prost the only member left from that team.

The Indians finished second in their district tournament.

"It seems like the last couple of weeks they have really played better golf," Tom Prost said.