Central's Simmons places second in district meet

~ Three area golfers qualified for the Class 4 state tournament.

EUREKA -- Central senior Tim Simmons had little trust in his putter during most of the spring.

That began to change Tuesday, when Simmons carded a two-under-par 33 in a match against Jackson with the help of his putting. That was just what was needed before Thursday's Class 4 District 1 tournament at Aberdeen Golf Club.

Simmons putted well and played well overall Thursday as he finished second in the district meet with a round of 75. The score qualified him for his third consecutive state meet, May 18 and 19 at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.

Poplar Bluff, which won the team title, qualified as a team along with the top 10 individuals from the other 10 teams.

"I had heard a lot about how tough the course could be if it was windy," Simmons said. "But we lucked out with little wind today. I felt real comfortable with my putts today. I really wasn't hitting the ball that well on the front nine. I had several putts burn the edge of the cup."

Simmons had a double-bogey on the ninth hole and was three-over par (39) after the opening nine.

"I had put so much focus on improving my putting, and I had a good mindset going into the back nine," said Simmons, who did not play high school golf as a freshman.

Simmons took advantage of the two par fives on the back nine, recording birdies on Nos. 15 and 17.

He had the lead in the clubhouse when he finished. He would stay on top of the leaderboard until the final group of the day, as Oakville's Warren Crow turned in a 74 for medalist honors.

"I won my first high school tournament this year [the Saxony Lutheran Invitational], and this would have been very special to have won," Simmons said. "But I am happy with the way I hit the ball and with the way I putted."

Simmons had a second-round score of 77 at last year's state meet and finished 33rd. He looks for bigger things later this month.

"I have progressively gotten better through my three years," Simmons said. "I told my parents at the beginning of the year that my goal was to finish in the top five at state. I don't feel that is too high of a goal. I want to make another big jump."

Simmons was the only Central player to qualify for state. Jordan Sheets was second on the Tigers with an 84.

Jackson had a pair of state qualifiers. One was expected as sophomore Tanner Werner finished sixth with a 77. Werner tied for second at the state meet last season.

"I felt I hit the ball well today," Werner said. "I just couldn't make any birdie putts. I am looking forward to the state meet. My goal is to be all-state, in the top 15 again."

The Indians also had a pleasant surprise as freshman Drew Hosp qualified with a score of 79, which tied for seventh.

"I had no pressure at all today," Hosp said. "I am a freshman, and I don't think anybody expected me to make it. I didn't even expect to make it. I just had fun out there. I did not do anything spectacularly, but I also didn't make any big mistakes."

Hosp's round consisted of pars and bogeys.

Poplar Bluff won with a 320, and was followed by Oakville (325) and Jackson (327).

Central was sixth in the 11-team district with a 333.

Team scores

Jackson -- Tanner Werner 77, Drew Hosp 79, Brett Leimbach 85, Jordan Dale 86, Joe Shultz 91

Central -- Tim Simmons 75, Jordan Sheets 84, Corey Fowler 86, Cory Connell 88, Cole Viers 92