Mules to tee off at district tournament

Despite a second-place finish Monday in the SEMO Conference boys golf tournament in Sikeston, the Poplar Bluff Mules aren’t even close to being satisified as they hit the links Thursday for the Class 5 District 1 Tournament at Crystal Highlands Golf Course in Festus.

The Mules will tee off first thing against a stacked field that features Jackson and several private schools including Chaminade, Christian Brothers, St. Louis University High and Vianney.

PBHS head coach Billy Pyland is no stranger to preparing for district tournaments as he coached his first for the Mules in 1997.

For Pyland and his squad, he said a key was to eliminate penalty shots, but something that Pyland said is even more important is having confidence in themselves.

“A positive mindset going into each hole and a strategy for each hole,” he said is what he wants his players to focus on.

The Mules played a practice round Wednesday with the team staying overnight in preperation for Thursday’s tournament.

“We had a practice round, will hit shots and try to make sure we’re aligned right now,” he said. “We’re here trying to get the right line and keep our eye on that. “

He said if his players do all those things, good things will happen.

After the practice round, they had dinner as a family and went over each hole on the course, in an effort to make the plan a reality as the veteran coach has a young team this season.

With four golfers logging top-seven finishes in Monday’s district tournament, it gives the team confidence going into Thursday, but Pyland said they knew they could have performed better.

“They expect more,” he said.

One reason for the high expectations is because of the foundation that was set years ago for the program. Pyland named several that have had an impact on the program, including former Mule standout Carr Vernon.

When asked which of those four could step up and lead the pack for his team, Pyland had a simple answer.

“I think all four,” he said.

He added it’s difficult to come out and play your best when you’ve only got one shot in a one-day tournament, but he hopes the district tournament is one of those days for his team.

The Mules will send out Lawson Barks, Corbin Thomas, Benjamin Miller, Caiden Luke and Kole Bader at Crystal Highlands.

Barks is in the first tee time of the day at action starts at 8 a.m. in Festus.

TEE TIMES

8 a.m. | Lawson Barks | Hole 1

8:36 a.m. | Corbin Thomas | Hole 1

8:36 a.m. | Caiden Luke | Hole 10

9:11 a.m. | Benjamin Miller | Hole 1

9:20 a.m. | Kole Bader | Hole 10

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