Elliott, Lehman compete at Class 2 Sectionals

California High School junior Tyler Elliott, above, and senior Curtis Lehman were among top finishers at the Class 2 District 4 Golf Tournament April 30 at Eugene, to qualify to advance to Class 2 Sectionals Monday at Hannibal. Elliott also earned All-District honors for finishing in the top 15 individually.
California High School junior Tyler Elliott, above, and senior Curtis Lehman were among top finishers at the Class 2 District 4 Golf Tournament April 30 at Eugene, to qualify to advance to Class 2 Sectionals Monday at Hannibal. Elliott also earned All-District honors for finishing in the top 15 individually.

The California High School varsity boys golf team competed at the Class 2 District 4 Golf Tournament April 30 at Redfield Golf Course, Eugene, where though the Pintos finished in seventh place with 398, California's Tyler Elliott and Curtis Lehman finished in the top 15 individually to qualify to advance to Class 2 Sectionals Monday at Norwood Golf Course, Hannibal. (The top two teams and the next 15 individual finishers at the district tournament advance to sectionals.)

Blair Oaks won the district title with 325, followed by Eugene with 332. Both advanced to Class 2 Sectionals, as well as the Southern Boone Eagles, who finished in third place with 336, but had four individuals finish in the top 15 who were not on the top two teams.

Blair Oaks' Kory Franks was the district medalist with 70.

California was led by Elliott, who tied for 15th individually with 88 to earn All-District honors. Lehman tied for 22nd with 97; Kade McAdams, 27th, 105; Conner George, 31st, 108; and John Wolken, 35th, 115.

Palmyra, 344, and Macon, 346, finished as the top two teams at Class 2 Sectionals Monday to advance to the Class 2 State Golf Championships May 13-14 at Fremont Hills Country Club, Nixa.

Southern Boone's Blake Lammers was the medalist with 72, followed by teammate Walker Kesterson, who shot a 74; Palmyra's Hunter Baggett, and Blair Oaks' Tanner Elder and Kory Franks, 76 each; Hermann's Austin Ruediger, 77; Centralia's Daymond Dollens and Fatima's Connor Muenks, 78 each; Dixon's Josh Parker, 79; Eugene's Ryan Doerhoff and Cuba's Kody Ettinger, 80 each.

The top 12 individuals (not on a qualifying team) at sectionals advance to the state championships.

California's Elliott tied for 35th with 96, while Lehman placed 50th with 107.

"Both boys got off to a bad start," California Coach Doug Miller said. "When that happens, it's hard to come back. We've struggled with being consistent."

Miller added, "We're a little young this season. We lost five seniors and we just don't have enough experience. But with hard work over the summer, I expect a better season next year. I think we will have several make it to the state championships."