Mules win district golf title

EUREKA -- After the first three holes of the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 golf tournament things looked bleak for the Poplar Bluff Mules.

A pair of freshmen were a combined 12-over par and one senior was starting what he later called the worst round of his career. Another senior was trading shots with a member of the team that had already beaten the Mules earlier in the season and even a two-time all-state medalist struggled.

"You just have to hang in there," Poplar Bluff junior Trent Hillis said. "It's survival day and it doesn't matter how bad you're playing, you just have to tough it out."

The Mules did just that, overcoming a four-stroke deficit on the back 9 at Aberdeen Golf Club to edge Oakville, 320-325.

It's the sixth district title in the last seven years for the Mules, who finished second last year by six strokes, qualifying for the state tournament to be held May 18-19 at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.

More in today's DAR.

MSHSAA Class 4 District 1

Aberdeen Golf Club; Par (36-36) 72.

TEAM -- Poplar Bluff 320. Oakville 325. Jackson 327. Lindbergh 329. Seckman 331. Cape Central 333. Rockwood Summit 342. Hillsboro 352. Fox 358. Mehlville 359. Northwest 374.

1. Warren Crow, Oakville, 74; 2. Tim Simmons, Cape Central, 75; 3. Trent Hills, Poplar Bluff, 76; Zack Stricker, Poplar Bluff, 76; Kyle Young, Lindbergh, 76; 6. Tanner Werner, Jackson 77; 7. Carr Vernon, Poplar Bluff, 79; Chase Hobbs, Rockwood Summit, 79; Drew Hosp, Jackson 79; 10. Brian Risk, Lindbergh, 81; Dylan Saxner, Seckman, 81; Zach Beatty, Seckman, 81; Danny Picha, Seckman, 81.

MULES-- Trent Hillis (38-38) 76; Carr Vernon (39-40) 79; Zack Stricker (37-39) 76; Cameron West (42-47) 89; Jake Russell (51-43) 94.