Central's Connell snares medalist honors at Notre Dame Invitational golf tournament

Poplar Bluff provided the unchanging portion of the Notre Dame Invitational golf tournament Monday at Bent Creek Golf Course.

Central's Corey Connell represented that part that is subject to change.

While the Mules won their ninth consecutive team title, Connell claimed the honor of medalist.

The Central junior fired a 1-over-par 73 on a brisk, breezy day, posting a two-shot victory in individual play over runner-up Evan Deere of Sikeston. He finished three shots ahead of last year's co-medalist Carr Vernon of Poplar Bluff.

"I'm pretty stoked," Connell said after a round that included three birdies. "I hit it really good on the back and made a couple mistakes on the front nine, but I got it back. I was really happy."

Connell started on the back nine and had birdies on Nos. 10 and 17 and made the turn at 2 under. He then stumbled on the first three holes on the front with a pair of bogeys and a double bogey. He recovered to shoot 1 under on the six remaining holes, birdieing the par-4 seventh.

"I brought it back, so I was pretty happy with the way I finished," he said.

Connell, a state qualifier as a sophomore, said he shot 79 in the tournament last year and carded a 90 as a freshman.

"It's a big improvement," Connell said. "I've been practicing a lot more this year. I thought I would play good this year, but I didn't know I would play that good. Hopefully I can keep it up."

Connell said he hit all but two fairways with his tee shots and only missed three greens in regulation.

"The greens were just aerified," Connell said. "Sometimes you got a couple bounces, but everyone had to deal with it. The greens were probably the toughest part. The wind wasn't too bad."

Connell credited his improvement to better iron play and a lesson a day earlier from his father, Jack Connell, the director of golf at Dalhousie Golf Club.

"I'm hoping big this year," Connell said. "I'm hoping to shoot some lower scores like I did today and compete a little better. I didn't hold up real well with the top guys last year, but I'm going to try to do that this year."

Travis Simmons added a 79 for the Tigers, who finished fourth with a 349.

Poplar Bluff finished at 323, two shots ahead of a young but confident Notre Dame team, while Jackson (337) placed third in the 12-team field.

Sophomore Cody Cox led Notre Dame with a 79 (41-38). Junior Gunnar Knudtson was one shot back, while junior Jake Seabaugh had an 82 and freshman Brady Dixon carded an 84.

"It wasn't bad, but I really wanted to beat Poplar Bluff," Cox said. "We beat Central. That's all that matters to me."

The Bulldogs return four state qualifiers from last year in Knudtson, Seabaugh, junior Tyler Arpin and senior Kurt Heischmidt.

Cox was not among the returning state qualifiers after a painful finish to his freshman season. Knowing he only needed to make bogey on the final hole of district play to qualify, he carded a double bogey.

"It made me get out there and practice," Cox said. "It was the worst feeling I ever had in my life. But it's paid off so far."

All five Notre Dame golfers shot in the 80s on Monday as Arpin turned in an 89.

"We didn't have our 'A' game and we were still right there," Knudtson said. "We got all our boys back. We're going to give it a run."

Jackson senior Tanner Werner, who was co-medalist the last two years, finished with an 85. The Indians' top four scorers -- Brett Leimbach (83), Conner Thrower (85) and Drew Hosp (86) -- were grouped within four shots. All four played on last year's team that finished second in the event with a 321.

"A couple kids are changing a few things with their swing," Jackson coach Zack Walton said. "It's early in the year. I'm not too worried about it. The regular season right now doesn't mean too much beside bragging rights. We need to keep hitting balls, working hard and get first or second in districts."

Team -- Poplar Bluff 323, Notre Dame 325, Jackson 337, Central 349, Dexter 352, Sikeston 356, St. Vincent 372, Saxony Lutheran 373, Kennett 395, New Madrid County Central 395, Perryville 399, Ste. Genevieve 458

Individual -- 1. Corey Connell (C) 73, 2. Evan Deere (S) 75, 3. Carr Vernon (PB) 76, 4 (tie). Travis Simmons (C) 79, 4 (tie). Cody Cox (ND) 79, 6 (tie). Jake Russell (PB) 80, 6 (tie). Gunnar Knudtson 80; 8 (tie). Brennen Justin (D), 8 (tie). Jacob Seabaugh (ND) 82, 10 (tie). Cody Stevens (D) 83, 10 (tie). John Gilmore (PB) 83, 10 {tie). Brett Leimbach (J) 83

Central -- Corey Connell 73, Travis Simmons 79, David Watts 97, Chris Reeder 100

Jackson -- Brett Leimbach 83, Tanner Werner 85, Conner Thrower 85, Drew Hosp 86

Notre Dame -- Cody Cox 79, Gunnar Knudtson 80, Jacob Seabaugh 82, Brady Dixon 84

Perryville -- Josh Fulmer 95, Aaron Welker 96, Brett Schnurbusch 98, Scott Sanders 110

Saxony Lutheran -- Zach Vaeth 87, Collin Sprandel 87, Luke Mueller 95, Garrett Brewer 104

St. Vincent -- Dustin Yamnitz 89, Brett Wengert 92, Zac Carron 94, Sean Martin 97