Gremlins win state golf title by one stroke

The Sacred Heart Gremlins golf team relished the underdog role at last year’s state golf tournament, startling the field with a runner-up finish to Greenwood.

This year, though, they wouldn’t settle for playing second fiddle.

Led by a pair of 79s from sophomores David Baldwin and John Beykirch, the Gremlins shot a second-day 330 on Tuesday at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield to finish a stroke a head of Marceline and capture the program’s first state golf title.

“It doesn’t get any closer than that,” Sacred Heart coach Tom Dey said of the single-stroke win. “We’re very excited to win the fourth championship for the school, with baseball having one and volleyball the other two. It was just a great team effort. When you only have four guys, without a throw-out score, it’s a lot of pressure going against healthy teams with five players. To win it is this way, it just makes it that much better and it’s just a great accomplishment for these young men.”

After shooting an opening-day 333, the Gremlins entered round two a stroke behind Marceline. With the lead in reach, coach Dey collected the team and issued some words of encouragement.

“What I told them was the same thing I told them last year. ‘They don’t give out any trophy for day one. You had a pretty good round and tomorrow’s a new game. You need to take it one shot at time, have fun, stay focused and play your game and it should all work out.’ ”

The words of wisdom resonated with the players as the Gremlins avoided the high scores and posted solid rounds to best Marceline’s second-day 332.

Baldwin, who opened up with an 81 on Monday, shot a 39 on the front nine and a 40 on the back to finish tied for sixth with a two-day score of 180. Jared Dey, coming off a fourth-place finish at state last year, shot an 85 for a two-day total of 166 to place just outside the medals in 16th. Beykirch’s 79 placed him in 20th with a two-total of 167 and Garrett Kelchner’s 87, following an 82 in the opening round, put him in a tie for 21st.

“I think if you look at the scores, we were obviously the most consistent of all the teams there. Every single individual competed and these young men played their hearts out. ... There were a lot of expectations on this team from the school, community and the media. It had to be tough to deal with that, but they dealt with it and came through when it mattered most.”

Tipton

Isaac Garber, the leader entering the second round, shot an 83 to finish three strokes behind champion Derek Hawkins, of Tarkio. The Cardinals, who defeated the Gremlins in districts to advance five players to state, finished in fifth place, 33 strokes behind the Gremlins.

Zachery Combs followed Garber with a two-day total of 173, good for 27th, and Grant Davis and Ethan Koechner finished tied for 45th after finishing with a 183 each. Romy Brant rounded out the group with a 203.

Lincoln

Buddy Dill followed up an opening round of 83 with an 84 to finish just outside the medals in 17th place. Terry Bickers bested his opening day round of 107 by 16 strokes to finish tied for 81st with a 197.

Stover

Jordan Haag, the Bulldogs’ lone representative, followed up an opening round of 111 with a 101 to finish in 107th with a 212.

Windsor

Trevor Warlen followed up an opening round of 100 with a 92 to finish tied for 69th.