Palmyra golfers finish strong, lead Class 2 state championships heading into second round

SMITHVILLE, Mo. — The Palmyra boys golf team has positioned itself to make history.

No one wants to jinx that.

So after posting a 333 team score Monday in the opening round of the Class 2 state championships at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex that has them in first place by eight strokes, the Panthers had dinner, went back to the hotel and prepped for the second round.

Focus was the name of the game.

The Palmyra fivesome of Jonas Janes, Skeeter Kroeger, Abram Getz, Preston Fuget and Anthony White used steady play on the back nine to put themselves in this position. There was only one double bogey carded among the top four Panthers as they shot a collective 162 on the back nine.

Compare that to their contenders and it made a difference. Cape Girardeau Notre Dame, Hermann and Willow Springs are all tied for second at 341. Cape Girardeau Notre Dame shot a 172 on the back nine, Hermann posted a 169 and Willow Springs had a 179.

Individually, Janes and Kroeger find themselves in title contention. Janes shot an 8-over 80 and is tied for second, while Kroeger posted a 9-over 81 and is tied for fourth. Getz is tied for 10th after carding a 12-over 84. Fuget shot an 88 and White had a 96.

South Shelby’s Colt Schmitz is tied for 15th with an 86, while the Cardinals’ Waylen Owens shot an 87 and Eli Hatcher shot a 90. Monroe City’s Cole Hays shot as 92.