Second-place Class 2 state finish is highest in history of South Shelby boys golf program

SEDALIA, Mo. — South Shelby boys golf coach Kevin Mitchell could tell the excitement of finishing second at the Class 2 state championships trumped the disappointment of finishing one stroke behind a heated rival.

In time, the appreciation for all the Cardinals accomplished will only heighten.

“They were really excited about what they did,” Mitchell said. “It’s kind of like Mizzou losing to Kansas. We love to beat Palmyra, so losing to them kind of stings. As a little bit of the sting wears off, our guys will understand what a heck of a season we had. A couple of days from now, they’ll see it.”

They’ll tip their cap to the Panthers at the same time.

“They’re all good buddies and good friends,” Mitchell said.

Palmyra won the state championship with a 673 team total, while South Shelby moved up one spot on the leaderboard during the second round and finished second at 674. The Cardinals posted the second-best team score Tuesday at Sedalia Country Club with a 342.

It is the second state trophy in the history of the South Shelby boys golf program and its highest finish ever.

“To come back with second is pretty awesome,” Mitchell said.

Two Cardinals — senior Noah Wilt and junior Colt Schmitz — earned all-state honors by finishing in the top 15 individually. Wilt finished tied for 10th at 161, and Schmitz tied for 15th at 164.

Mitchell said the players started their rounds on opposite nines, so he tracked Wilt’s progress through online scoring and watched Schmitz’s final six holes. The junior was the last of the Cardinals to finish, and his score helped determine the outcome.

“He hit good shot after good shot,” Mitchell said of Schmitz, who played those six holes in 2-over. “He knew it was going to come down to him, and he rose to the occasion. God puts people in certain places, and if I had to pick a golfer to put in that place, it would have been him.”

South Shelby junior Carson Gough posted a 176, senior Eli Hatcher carded a 178 and senior Titus Moore shot a 183.

“They all did great,” Mitchell said. “It’s an exciting way to finish.”

Monroe CIty’s Cole Hays finished tied for 56th with a 178. He shaved four strokes off his first-round total by shooting an 87 on Tuesday.

In the Class 1 state championships at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in New Bloomfield, the Canton boys golf team finished seventh with a 737 total. Lockwood won the team title with a 671.

Tigers senior Tyler Frazier finished tied for 23rd with a two-day total of 172, while Noah Bringer shot a 182, Preston Brewer posted a 186 and Avery Uhlmeyer shot a 197.

At the Class 4 state championships at Silo Ridge Country Club in Bolivar, Mo., Hannibal junior Kyle Locke shot a 4-over 76 and finished with a 157 total.