Notre Dame golfers finish runner-up to host Mules at Poplar Bluff Invitational

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Carr Vernon bounced back from a bad bounce Monday to take medalist honors at the Poplar Bluff Invitational.

Vernon's second shot on No. 11 at Westwood Hills Country Club sailed over the green, hit a cart path and landed across the street. It didn't slow the Poplar Bluff senior, who shot a 2-under-par 69 to lead the Mules to the team title.

"I missed a few opportunities, but I played good," said Vernon, who has signed to play at Akron University in the fall.

Poplar Bluff shot 298 to win by 20 strokes over runner-up Notre Dame (318). Jackson (319) placed third, while Central (346) was sixth and Kelly (395) ninth in the field of 15 teams.

Cody Stevens of Dexter finished second at 1-under 70, while Travis Simmons of Central was third at 74

The majority of the field failed to break 80 on the 6,427-yard course. Only 13 players out of 77 accomplished that feat.

"It was pretty tough," Stevens said. "Playing from the [back tees], it's rough."

Gunnar Knudtson shot 76 to tie for sixth to lead Notre Dame, while Jake Seabaugh added an 80 to tie for 14th.

Jackson's Eli Pike tied for sixth with a 76, while Drew Hosp shot 78 for 11th.

Cental's Corey Connell also shot a 78.

Derrick Garner paced Kelly with a 91.

Poplar Bluff Invitational

at Westwood Hills Country Club

TEAM -- Poplar Bluff 298; Notre Dame 318; Jackson 319; PB Maroon 320; Sikeston 321; Central 346; Dexter 372; Doniphan 391; Kelly 395; New Madrid Central 399; Clearwater 406; Bloomfield 449; Kennett 459; Malden 461;

INDIVIDUAL (Par 71) -- 1. Carr Vernon (PB) 69; 2. Cody Stevens (DX) 70; 3. Travis Simmons (CC) 74; 4 (tie). Ryan McVey (PBM) 75; Hunter Pyland (PB) 75; 6 (tie). Evan Deere (S) 76. Eli Pike (J) 76; Gunnar Knudtson (ND) 76; 9 (tie) Collin Davis (PB) 77; Jake Russell (PB) 77; 11. (tie) Corey Connell (CC) 78; Kirk Hoggatt (S) 78; 13. Nick Woolard (PBM) 79; 14. (tie) Jake Seabaugh (ND) 80; Davis Caldwell (PBM) 80; Conor MacGillivray, Sikeston, 80.

Central (346) -- Travis Simmons 74. Corey Connell 78. Luke Kinder 95. Diana Kantchev 99. Parker Browne 100.

Jackson (319) -- Eli Pike 76. Drew Hosp 78. Adam Way 81. Zach Crader 84. Conner Thrower 86.

Kelly (395) -- Derrick Garner 91. Brandon Housman 92. Josh Roberts 103. Jacob Buell 109. Jacob Riley 114.

Notre Dame (318) -- Gunnar Knudtson 76. Jake Seabaugh 80. Brady Dixon 81. Cody Cox 81. Tyler Aprin 85.