Local golfers admit to nerves during their opening rounds

~ Jackson's T.J. Smith had the best round by a local golfer, shooting an 11-over 83.

None of the three local golfers competing in the American Junior Golf Association's Dalhousie Junior Championship was particularly pleased with his or her opening-round performance.

But Jackson's T.J. Smith, Cape Girardeau's Jack Connell Jr., and Cape Girardeau's Emily Matthews all said they thoroughly enjoyed competing against some of the nation's top young golfers ages 12 through 18.

And all three believe they stand a good chance of improving on their first-round scores -- along with perhaps even making the cut for Thursday's final round -- when they tee off today.

"It was a real good time out there," Smith said. "And I hope to play better [today]."

T.J. Smith of Jackson took a drink of water, seeking relief from the mid-day heat on the 18th hole at Dalhousie Golf Club. (AARON EISENHAUER ~aeisenhauer@semissourian.com)

Smith, a recent Jackson High School graduate, had the top round among the local trio as he carded an 11-over-par 83, which ties him for 72nd in the 108-player boys field.

That was a far cry from the 74 that Smith shot at Dalhousie during this year's SEMO Conference Tournament, which gained him a spot in the Dalhousie Junior Championship.

"I think if I didn't hit in the weeds or the water, it would have been better. I did that once or twice," said Smith, poking fun at himself.

But Smith said he wasn't surprised that his score did not approach his personal best for the rugged course.

"I'd say I'm disappointed, but I haven't been playing enough to expect something extremely low," he said. "I've been working, getting ready for college."

Jack Connell watched his son Jack Connell Jr. as he prepared to tee off on the 16th hole at Dalhousie Golf Club. (AARON EISENHAUER ~aeisenhauer@semissourian.com)

Smith will attend the University of Missouri-Rolla, which no longer has a men's golf team.

So this is basically Smith's last hurrah as a competitive golfer -- and he's not about to go down without a fight.

Smith is still hopeful of making the cut. The top 54 finishers, along with ties, get to play Thursday. After 18 holes, the cut line would be 81, meaning Smith is very much in the hunt.

"I think it's possible," he said. "What it will take, I have no idea."

Connell had hoped his familiarity with the course would lead to a solid opening round.

As the son of Dalhousie director of golf Jack Connell, the Central High School senior-to-be said he plays the course about five or six times a week. He said his personal-best is a 71.

But Connell got off to a rocky start and finished with a 12-over 84, which ties him for 77th.

Connell began his round on the back nine and shot 46 before rallying with a 2-over 38 on the front nine.

"My first nine was really bad. I didn't do very well. The second nine I did a little better," Connell said. "I just need to hit it better. Hopefully I'll do a little better tomorrow."

Connell acknowledged that it was a bit nerve-racking competing against such an elite field.

"It was a little different. It felt a little weird at first. But it's kind of grown on me," he said.

Like Smith, Connell -- who gained entry into the prestigious event through Sunday's Srixon Qualifier at Dalhousie -- is still hopeful of making the cut.

"It just depends on what I shoot. Just go as low as possible," he said, then made reference to his previous 71 on the course. "Maybe I can pull one of those tomorrow."

Matthews, who will be a senior at Notre Dame Regional High School -- where she plays on the boys golf team -- was philosophical after firing a 24-over 96 that had her 32nd in the 36-player girls field.

"I'm not last," she said with a smile. "There are a lot of scores in the 90s, so it's not too bad."

Matthews, who also gained entry into the tournament through Sunday's Srixon Qualifier, started out with a 45 on the front nine but shot 51 on the back nine.

"I lost a couple strokes when I didn't hit the right iron on the front nine, but it was a lot better than my back nine," she said.

Like Connell, Matthews said she experienced an early bout with nerves caused by playing in such an elite event.

"It took me about three holes to get over my nerves," she said. "It should be better tomorrow."

The girls field will also be cut in half after today's round, with the top 18, plus ties, advancing to play Thursday.

Matthews has a lot more ground to make up than either Smith or Connell, as the girls cut line would be 86.

Still, she remained upbeat.

"I'm glad to see I'm not totally out of it," she said. "We'll see how it goes tomorrow."

The other two golfers in the field from Southeast Missouri, Poplar Bluff's Trent Hillis and Danner McCauley, both shot in the 80s.

Hillis, a sophomore-to-be at Poplar Bluff High School, is tied for 60th after firing an 82.

McCauley, who will be a senior at Poplar Bluff High School, is tied for 83rd after ending with an 85.