“Heading into this regional I just wanted us to qualify for the state tournament,” Guthrie boys head golf coach Ric Meshew said of his expectations for his squad. In the end, his BlueJays did just that.
Jack Klein, Brent Jenkins, Brayden Berryman, Bryce Sullivan, Ethan Delno, and Coach Ric Meshew are headed to the State Tournament.
Guthrie hosted the 5A West regional, on Monday, at Cedar Valley’s Augusta Golf Course, where the Jays finished fourth overall to qualify for next week’s state tournament, at Dornick Hills, in Ardmore.
The 36-hole regional needed almost 12 hours of play to conclude and at the end it was Chickasha (639) taking the spot for the regional championship as the top six teams qualifed for state. Duncan finished second with a 645 score followed by McGuinness (650), Guthrie (651), Deer Creek (653) and Lawton MacArthur (667).
After the turn (first 18 holes) Guthrie and Chickasha were a top the leader board with scores of 323. In fact, seven teams were within 11 shots of each other.
“This regional had 9 teams that had a great chance of qualifying and I am proud of our guys on the way they came out,” an exhausted Meshew said, who not only had to coach his squad, but manage the regional.
Defending Class 5A state champion Taylor Williams, of Chickasha, claimed the individual top spot on the par 70 course. The senior shot 34-34-34-37 for a total score of 139 (one under) to win by 12 strokes over McGuinness David Krahl.
Guthrie was led by Jack Klein’s two round total of 156. His score was the seventh best in the field. After shooting a first round 80, he responded with a 76 on the final 18 holes and still did not seem happy with his result.
“Jack was a little upset with the 80, but he came back strong on the final 18 and really helped us out as our top golfer on the day,” Meshew said, who helped lead the 1998 Guthrie team to the 5A state championship.
The Jays got a boost from perhaps the smallest participant in the field in Guthrie’s Brayden Berryman. The freshmen scored a 38 and 39 to begin his day with a 77 before ending it with a 41, 43 for a back 18 score of 84.
“Brayden came out and performed big for us.” We could have used all five of our guys scores in any of the two rounds and still would have qualifed,” Meshew said about the 16 stroke cushion over the last qualifed team.
Each team is allowed to take their top four scores of each round toward their team score.
Junior Ethan Delno finished the day with a 166 that included a 39 on the back nine to end the day. Sophomore left-hander, Brent Jenkins posted scores of 82 and 86 while senior Bryce Sullivan chipped in with an 85 and 91.
Tee times will be announced soon from the OSSAA for the state tournament. The 54-hole tournament is set to begin on Friday and end on Saturday in Ardmore.
Medalists
Taylor Williams – Chickasha – 139
David Krahl – McGuinness – 151
Blake Rhodes – Lawton Mac – 153
Thomas Malena – Altus – 155 (Sudden Death)
Individual Qualifier’s
Logan Gray – El Reno – 155
Mason Ross – El Reno – 161
Ryan Trujillo – Carl Albert – 161
Drew Lucas – Tulsa Edison – 162
Drew Melton – Noble – 162
Caleb Cranford – Altus – 166
Regional Team Scores:
Chickasha 639
Duncan 645
McGuinness 650
Guthrie 651
Deer Creek 653
Lawton Mac 667
Altus 675
Carl Albert 681
El Reno 690
Noble 748
Tulsa Edison 762
Capitol Hill 1182
Not sure if they’ve changed one of the holes, but last I remember all the courses in Guthrie (outside of the GCC) are par 70. It may have changed though.
Thank you, you are correct. Fingers got typing too fast again.