BRANSON — It will be a long while before anyone around the Nixa golf program forgets former Eagle Chandler Burch’s nine-hole round of four-under par 31 at Pointe Royale Golf Course a year ago.
But in case Chance Wilhite needed a reminder, he received such a memo on the eve of Nixa’s return to the Pointe for a triangular with Ozark and host Branson on Thursday.
“(Burch) texted me yesterday and said, 'I bet you don't beat my 31 last year,’” Wilhite said.
Wilhite didn’t beat or match Burch’s 31, but was in the red and and was the top medalist in Nixa’s victory versus the Tigers and Pirates. The Eagles carded a 141, Ozark posted a 155 and Branson totaled a 169.
Wilhite led everyone with a one-under 34.
“Not quite a 31, but I made some long (putts),” Wilhite said. “I putted well and was striking well. I was solid in most places. I only missed one green. It was a pretty good day."
Wilhite’s foursome started on hole No. 4 and finished on No. 3. He birdied Nos. 6, 7 and 2.
“On (the par-3) No. 2, my ball sat right on the edge of the hole (after a putt). I started walking toward it and it fell in,” Wilhite said. “That felt like. steal, a bonus.”
The Eagles, Tigers and Pirates found putting to be an adventure. Pointe Royale’s greens were recently aerated, as is the case at most courses this month throughout SWMO.
“We expect them to be aerated everywhere we go because everyone is doing it now,” Wilhite said. “(The greens) were a little bumpy. It was a little plinko. But there's nothing you can do about it. You've just got to hit the putt. You can't worry about something that is out of your control. You have to play through it.”
Nixa’s scores also included a 35 by Noah Naugle, 36s by Meyer Lively and Jack Holden and a 37 by Peyton Burbridge.
Burch’s 31 came at the same triangular a year ago.
“We were talking about Chandler's round on the bus ride here,” Lively said. “But I wasn't expecting too much today. The jayvee was here last week and they said the greens were aerated. When you hear that, you can't expect too much. (The greens) were a little bumpy. I hit a two-footer that was solid, but it hit a bump and kicked straight left. So, there was some luck involved.”
Lively’s lone birdie came on No. 4. He felt with a better day putting, he could have racked up more birdies.
“I had a lot of opportunities, but had a lot of missed short putts,” he said.
The triangular made for a unique chance for some of the players to be paired in a foursome with a teammate. Wilhite played alongside Naugle.
“It was nice to play with a teammate and have someone to talk to about your shots,” Wilhite said.
Nixa cruised to the COC team championship last year on the strength of its depth and the Eagles feel good about their top five players again this year.
In Nixa’s one tournament, one dual and one triangular this year, Wilhite has shot the Eagle’s low round twice and Lively once.
"We've got a solid team,” Lively said.
“We have a lot of people who can shoot low scores,” Wilhite said.
Ozark’s 155 included a 35 by Boston Huddleston, a 37 by CJ Jackson, a 39 by Seth Palen, a 44 by Kyle Fitzpatrick and a 46 by Carter Chronister.
Jackson was proud to bounce back after starting his round with a double-bogey.
“I told myself to keep it there, persevere and hopefully make birdie every now and then or make all pars. That was my goal,” Jackson said. “I’ve had the tendency to double-bogey my first hole the last couple tournaments. The mental game is a big part of golf. Usually, I can struggle on and put ( a bad hole) in the back of my head.”
After his double-bogey on No. 5, Jackson birdied No . 7.
“That calmed me down,” he said. “I hit a really good chip shot about five feet (from the hole) and knocked it in.”
Jackson felt he adjusted well to the greens.
“With aerated greens, you really have to hit your line,” he said. “You have to hit it a little harder and pray.”
Jackson, who shot a 69 at the Ozark Tournament last year, is hoping he and the Tigers can make a run at Nixa for COC supremacy next month.
“My expectations for this season are pretty high,” he said. “I’m a junior, so I need to step into a leadership role for us and do my thing. I think we’re going to do good this year and get some tournament wins.”
