St. Vincent golfers will attempt to add to school's rich tradition

~ The Indians pursue a third state golf championship.

State golf success is nothing new to St. Vincent, a program which has won two state titles and has claimed eight top-four finishes.

However, the Indians have placed in the team standings just once in the last four years -- a seventh-place finish in 2005. But a convincing district win over last year's Class 1 runner-up Thayer has the Indians heading into the state tournament with momentum.

St. Vincent, along with golfers from across the area, will begin competiton today at the state tournament. The Class 1 tournament will be played at the Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Mo.

"I know we have big shoes to fill coming through our program," St. Vincent senior David Rhoden said. "In this program there are high expectations. I'm proud to be on this team."

Returning all-state seniors Zach Richardet and Corey Brueckner pace the Indians, who have won their last two tournaments. St. Vincent captured the Jefferson County Conference tournament in its final tuneup for the state tournament.

Richardet tied for 11th last year in Class 1, and Brueckner was tied for 13th. The pair has finished one-two in St. Vincent's last two events.

"It definitely adds to the experience of going there," Richardet said of the entire team qualifying for the state tournament. "It's a lot more fun off the course. Knowing we're going to be there as a team is a big accomplishment."

Added longtime coach Tom Prost of Richardet and Brueckner: "I know they're nervous. They're excited about the team being there. To see your team on the board, it's twice as exciting. They've won different medals through the last few years, but you don't feel the same joy like when the team wins the plaque."

Rhoden, Lucas Schumer and Jason Carron round out St. Vincent's entry. All five Indians will be among the first to tee off, with Carron the last St. Vincent player to tee off at 8:36 a.m.

"We're all playing some pretty good golf," Rhoden said. "Right now our No. 1 and No. 2 guys are shooting good. The rest of the team is helping out as we can."

The Indians have hit their stride late in the season with the return of Brueckner, who missed much of the season due to an injury.

"It's nice to have Corey back," Prost said. "He didn't get to play at the beginning of the year, and all of the sudden Corey came back and they saw we could shoot good scores. It made everyone relax."

With two of the top returning Class 1 golfers, the Indians could be among the contenders heading into Tuesday's final round.

"We shot a 327 at district, and that is a good score," Prost said. "If we shoot that at state, I'd be surprised if we're not up with the leaders."

Ash Grove, the 2006 team champion, has been bumped up to Class 2. Thayer qualified five individuals and thus will compete in the team competition despite finishing behind St. Vincent at the Class 1 District 1 tournament.

Individual performers

Also hitting the course at Rivercut is Saxony Lutheran senior Clay Obergoenner and sophomore teammate Tyler James. Both golfers are making their state tournament debut with Saxony Lutheran, which launched its golf program this year.

Notre Dame will have three players teeing off in the Class 3 tournament at Deer Lake Golf Course in Springfield. Bulldogs sophomore Brett Slaten is making his second straight trip, and senior Austin Gelsheimer and freshman Brandon Pleimann are each making their debut.

Jackson senior T.J. Smith will make his state debut in the Class 4 tournament at Fremont Hills Country Club in Springfield. Smith will be joined in the field by Central sophomores Jordan Sheets and Tim Simmons, both making their state debut.