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PrintThe television inside the Jefferson City Country Club Wednesday featured golfers preparing for today’s Masters Tournament under a warm Georgia sun.
A peek outside the window of the same clubhouse, however, displayed high schoolers competing under slightly different conditions. It was a golfer’s worst nightmare: cold weather mixed with gusting winds.
“It was extremely cold,” Hickman junior Nick Wilson said. Though no one blamed the weather completely for poorer scores, many golfers admitted it was a detrimental factor.
“I almost feel like I complain about it too much,” Rock Bridge senior Mark Kollias said. “It’s really not that big of a deal, but I probably let it affect me too much today.”
Rock Bridge coach Doug Daniels said that the elements usually affect golfers more when they play poorly.
“It’s like if you’re a quarterback and you are playing fine in the rain, then it doesn’t bother you. But if you miss a few passes, all the sudden it’s in your head,” Daniels said.
Host Jefferson City appearedleast affected by the weather, finishing first with 161 strokes. Hickman was second, shooting 169. Rock Bridge placed third with 170 strokes, and Helias finished last at 171 strokes. Jefferson City’s Will Nixon shot the best individual score with a 1-under par 35.
Daniels said that the course difficulty was another reason for inflated scores. He said that it is probably the toughest course that his players will see all year.
Hickman ace Chris Johnson agreed.
“This course is so hard, especially when there’s wind. If you’re a little off, you hit it in the trees,” Johnson said. “But there are no excuses. I didn’t play well, anyway.”
Hickman coach Clark Swisher created a positive out of the weather.
“What they have to learn from this is your expectations have to change on a day like today. The weather’s cold, wind’s blowing, ball’s wet...Your goal should be around 40,” Swisher said.
Wilson was the only golfer under 40 for Hickman or Rock Bridge. He shot a 39 which was 3-over par. Joe Neal, John Treche and Mark Kollias all shot 42 for the Bruins.
The Bruins and Kewpies will likely face the same conditions today as they tee off at 8:30 a.m. at Tanglewood in Fulton.
“This is good for us. We’re going to see who can persevere through this ugliness,” Swisher said.
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