STATE GOLF: Notre Dame's Litzelfelner finishes co-medalist at Class 3 tourney

Notre Dame senior Jack Litzelfelner and Advance senior Brian Whitson, a pair of SEMO Conference champions, stood tall in the face of inclement weather at the boys golf state championships.

Litzelfelner carded a 2-under-par 70 at the Class 3 tournament and was named co-medalist after Tuesday's second round was washed out, while Whitson's 4-over 75 was good enough for second place at the Class 1 tournament.

The Bulldogs finished sixth in the team standings with 330 points at the par-72 Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Missouri.

MICDS took the Class 3 title with 309 points and was led by Michael John O'keefe, whose 2-under 70 placed him atop the individual standings tied with Litzelfelner. Pembroke Hill (316) placed second, and Nevada (325) finished third.

It's the second state championship for Litzelfelner, who won the tournament as a freshman and finished tied for eighth as a sophomore. Litzelfelner recently earned medalist honors at the SEMO Conference Tournament.

Whitson, a three-time SEMO Conference small-school medalist, headed into the clubhouse atop the Class 1 leader board following a rain-drenched opening round Monday at Fremont Hills Country Club in Fremont Hills, Missouri.

The first round was suspended and completed on Tuesday, as Green Ridge's Peyton Needy finished one stroke ahead of Whitson to claim medalist honors with a 3-over 74.

It's the second time in as many years that Whitson has settled for runner-up at state.

"He was a little disappointed in his play. He could've maybe scored a little bit better, but under the conditions, the 75 he shot was a tremendous score," Advance coach Neil Miles said. "He can hold his head high. He really did well. It was just tough conditions. It rained on us all day yesterday, and our team as a whole battled through that well. I think we had a good score considering those conditions."

The Hornets placed fourth as a team, with sophomore Carson Miles also earning all-state honors. Miles carded an 83 and finished in a four-way tie for eighth place, while seniors Spence Lorch (t-31st, 91) and Creighton Miles (86th, 110) rounded out Advance's team scores. Sophomore Andrew Mudd (t-48th, 94) represented St. Vincent at the tournament.

"The layout was very tight," Miles said about the course. "It was not long, but your accuracy was very important and your misses were very important because you could get yourself in trouble if you missed the green on the wrong side. Of course, the conditions made it tough, too. There was a lot of water in the bunkers and water in the fairway. It was a very narrow course where good placement of the ball was a must."

Gallatin won the team title with 339 points, followed by La Plata (346) in second and Greenwood (346) in third. The Hornets finished with 359 points.

"It's very special," Miles said about the experience. "From the very beginning four years ago and all the help we've received from the school and the golf course at Dalhousie and the parental support, it's really been a big blessing.

"It all just fell into place for us."

A total of four area golfers earned all-state honors, including Cape Girardeau Central senior Kobe Franklin, who carded a 5-over 77 to finish tied for seventh at the Class 3 tournament.

Junior Jonathan Bell (t-30th, 83), freshman Nate Hulshof (t-55th, 88), senior Lincoln Hunter (t-59th, 89) and junior Caleb Schnurbusch (t-74th, 93) also represented the Bulldogs at state.

The Class 2 tournament at Sedalia Country Club in Sedalia, Missouri, and the Class 4 tournament at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bolivar, Missouri, were each able to complete two rounds.

Junior Karsten Short (t-29th, 80-85--165), freshman Olivia Voelker (82nd, 98-94--192) and junior Ben Daniel (t-84th, 96-98--194) represented Saxony Lutheran in Class 2, while senior Hunter Asher (t-62nd, 85-84--169) and freshman Case Englehart (t-78th, 83-90--173) represented Jackson in Class 4.

Bishop LeBlond claimed the team title in Class 2, while Glendale won the team championship in Class 4.

CLASS 1

Team scores -- 1. Gallatin 339; 2. La Plata 346; 3. Greenwood 346; 4. Advance 359; 5. Lincoln 363; 6. Marceline 371; 7. Penney 372; 8. Bloomfield 378; 9. Salisbury 381

ADVANCE -- 2. Brian Whitson 75; t8. Carson Miles 83; t31. Spence Lorch 91; 86. Creighton Miles 110

ST. VINCENT -- t48. Andrew Mudd 94

CLASS 2

Team scores -- 1. Bishop LeBlond 602; 2. Springfield Catholic 648; 3. Hermann 650; 4. Southern Boone 653; 5. Maryville 663; 6. Whitfield 674; 7. Lutheran St. Charles 693; 8. Strafford 698

SAXONY LUTHERAN -- t-29. Karsten Short 165; 82. Olivia Voelker 192; t-84. Ben Daniel 194

CLASS 3

Team scores -- 1. MICDS 309; 2. Pembroke Hill 316; 3. Nevada 325; 4. Priory 327; 5. Sullivan 328; 6. Notre Dame 330; 7. Logan-Rogersville 344; 8. Clayton 367

CAPE GIRARDEAU CENTRAL -- t-7. Kobe Franklin 77

NOTRE DAME -- t-1. Jack Litzelfelner 70; t-30. Jonathan Bell 83; t-55. Nate Hulshof 88; t-59. Lincoln Hunter 89; t-74. Caleb Schnurbusch 93

CLASS 4

Team scores -- 1. Glendale 627; 2. Rockhurst 633; 3. Chaminade 638; 4. Rock Bridge 642; 5. DeSmet 649; 6. Marquette 649; 7. St. Louis University 671; 8. Liberty North 681

JACKSON -- t-62. Hunter Asher 169; t-78. Case Englehart 173