ND GOLFERS QUALIFY FOR STATE MEET

JACKSON -- Notre Dame High's golf team saw four players match or better their career nine-hole lows and qualified for next week's Class 1A-2A state meet in Columbia, Mo. with a second-place finish Monday in District 1 play at Bent Creek Golf Course.

Malden won the meet with 316 points, but Notre Dame secured the meet's only other state berth by finishing with a 338, seven strokes ahead of St. Vincent.

St. Vincent, which finished with a 345 total, saw Jon Clements and Dusty Cattoer both shoot 82s and qualify for the individual competition at state.

The remainder of the team scores: St. Pius 353, defending state champion Clearwater 371, Twin Rivers 374, Bernie 377, Viburnum 380, Bloomfield 380 and Portageville 409.

The team qualification for state is the first for Notre Dame, a third-year program.

"We thought we had a good shot at second," said Notre Dame coach Chris Janet. "We knew Malden would be tough. They're a bonafide state championship contender."

Notre Dame saw its No. 1 player Andy Golden, an all-state performer last year, experience an off day with a 90.

"The other four really picked it up," said Janet.

Dan Buerck fired a 78, while Jonathan LeGrand and John Brey each shot 86s and Chris Koeper finished at 88.

Notre Dame trailed St. Vincent by six strokes after the front nine, which saw Brey card a personal-best 42.

On the back, Buerck shot 38 and LeGrand fired 39, matching season lows. Koeper shot a 41, a personal best.

The state meet will be held May 13-14 in Columbia.

* Central and Jackson will compete in the Class 4A, District 1 meet today at Eagle Lake Golf Course in Farmington. Also in the district: DeSoto, Farmington, Fox, Hillsboro, Northwest House Springs, Oakville, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston.

Poplar Bluff is considered the district favorite.