Werner places second in Class 4

Jackson freshman Tanner Werner knew he was close to the lead on the back nine Tuesday during the Class 4 state championship tournament, but he wasn't certain how close.

Werner finished one stroke behind Springfield Central's Kevin Kring and tied for second place with a 1-over-par 145 in the two-day, 36-hole event. He shot a 74 on Tuesday after a 1-under 71 on Monday at Island Green Golf Course in Republic.

Werner was close to becoming the first individual state golf champion from the Southeast Missourian circulation area, even if he didn't know it.

"I tried not thinking about it, but I thought I was two down," Werner said. "I was really one down the whole back nine but I thought I was two down, so I was playing a little more aggressive. Later in the round, I found out. It didn't make that big of a difference, but I wish at least one of those putts would've went in to bring it back to a tie for the last two holes."

Those putts were birdie attempts on No. 15, the famed par-3 island green, and the par-4 16th. Werner birdied the par-5 14th hole for the second straight day to get back to 1-over, but lipped out a birdie putt on 15.

"And I thought I made it on 16, but it just didn't go in," Werner said. "I needed at least one of them to fall but neither of them did. Oh, well."

That was the approach that suited Werner well for the week.

He came out with four birdies and three bogeys Monday to hold a share of first place at 71. He played in a final group with Kickapoo junior Dillon Maloney, who followed his 71 with an 84; Kring, a senior who shot 72-72; and Rockhurst junior Matt Ledom, who shot 72-75 and tied with Poplar Bluff's Trent Hillis for fourth place.

Kring, a two-time state runner-up who signed with the University of Colorado in the fall, made a 10-foot uphill putt for par on No. 18 to seal the victory.

Werner was the only freshman among the top 16 finishers.

"I was more nervous today probably than yesterday," Werner said, "but being a freshman, I think there was more pressure on the other kids than there was on me just because I have three more years, and I'm not expected to do as well as the seniors or the juniors, so I was happy.

"My goal was all-state, top 15, and I achieved that this year."

Jackson's first-year coach, Zack Walton, said Werner played his best golf of the season this week, though he was never far off his game with a season-worst round of 82 over 18 holes.

"I thought he kept his composure all week," Walton said. "I was proud of him, a freshman and playing at state for the first time. I'm sure he was nervous, but Tanner stepped up and played good golf all day."

"I just tried to play like any other day," said Werner, who tied for fourth in the district meet. "I tried to get pars and not have any big numbers, and I did that."

Also in the Class 4 tourney, Central junior Tim Simmons had rounds of 82-77 for a 159 to tie for 33rd place; and Central senior Jack Connell had rounds of 85-82 for a 167 to tie for 79th.

In the Class 3 tourney at Rivercut in Springfield, Brett Slaten finished 34th with rounds of 81-82 for 163. The Notre Dame junior was making his third state appearance. Notre Dame senior John Oliver carded 95-94 to finish 120th with a 189.

In the Class 1 tourney at Silo Ridge in Bolivar, Saxony Lutheran freshman Zach Vaeth topped the local golfers with rounds of 84-92 to finish 33rd with a 176.

Others in the field: St. Vincent sophomore Ben Schremp, 94-93—187 for 75th place; St. Vincent sophomore Brandon Trapp, tied for 86th, 94-99—193; Saxony junior Tyler James, 102nd place, 100-98—198; Advance senior Cody Mitchell, 107th place, 100-105—205; and Advance senior Cody Poe, 112th, 109-101, 210.