Mules take sixth at district, send two to state

FESTUS, Mo. — The Poplar Bluff boys golf team hit the links Thursday for the Class 5 District 1 Golf Tournament at Crystal Highlands Course where the Mules finished in sixth place — but the squad will still have two representatives at the Class 5 State Tournament in a couple of weeks.

The Mules carded a 331 to finish a shot behind Vianney, who took fifth. Christian Brothers won the tournament with a 301 while rival Jackson took third (320).

With only a pair from their team headed to state, Mules coach Billy Pyland said offseason work will be key for players to improve ahead of next season.

“The main thing is learn by your mistakes and don’t let them happen again,” Pyland said.

Poplar Bluff junior Lawson Barks finished with a 76 to lead the Mules while freshman Corbin Thomas shot a 78 as both earned All-District accolades, along with a state tournament berth.

Pyland said Barks struggled at times Thursday but after quick pep talk from his head coach, strung together three-straight birdies.

“He had to get in his comfort zone,” Pyland said of his junior.

Thomas followed up his third-place finish in the SEMO Conference Tournament with another round in the 70s but Pyland said it was his mannerisms that impressed those around him on Thursday.

“The guy that was marking for Corbin gave him the biggest compliment,” Pyland said. “He thought he was a senior. His maturity on the golf course was way beyond than when we started at the beginning of the year.”

Barks and Thomas will now advance to the state tournament at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bolivar that starts May 15.

CLASS 5, DISTRICT 1 GOLF TOURNAMENT

(Crystal Highlands- Par 72)

TEAM SCORES

1st- CBC 301

2nd- Chaminade 315

3rd- Jackson 320

4th- SLUH 326

5th- Vianney 330

6th- Poplar Bluff 331

7th- Kirkwood 337

8th- Eureka 340

9th- Lindbergh 354

10th- Oakville 356

11th Mehlville 356

12th- Seckman 358

13th- Parkway South 366

14th- Fox 368

15th- Northwest 444

16th- Lutheran South NTS

INDIVIDUAL

Lawson Barks- 76 (All-District & State Qualifier)

Corbin Thomas- 78 (All-District & State Qualifier)

Caiden Luke- 85

Kole Bader- 92

Benjamin Miller- 98