Whitt Carter
Sulphur Times-Democrat
The Sulphur Boys Golf program has made a habit out of
reaching the State Tournament.
And when they get there; they can’t help but play well.
Last week, the Bulldogs not only continued their extensive state-qualifying
streak, but also carried on in their stretch of good play, as they finished 7th
place in the Class 3A State Tournament at Dornick Hills Golf and Country Club
in Ardmore.
After finishing the first day (36 holes) in 5th
place, the Bulldogs proceeded with solid play from juniors Collin Hoyle (80) and
Jordan Barefoot (83) to finish only two strokes behind Bethel and five shots
behind Marlow.
“We didn’t have our best day on Tuesday, but we finished at 7th
in the State Tournament and that’s great,” head coach Toby Todd said. “It’s
another big accomplishment for our program and for this team.”
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| Senior golfer Hayden Hancock finished his career as a three-time state qualifier. |
This year’s finish is the team’s highest since 2008, when
they also placed 7th.
“There was a lot of pressure on this group of guys, knowing
that it could possibly be the tenth straight year,” said Todd. “Our seniors,
Hayden and Parker, did a great job of leading this group all year.”
Hancock, who entered the state meet at Dornick Hills playing
his best golf of the year, paced the Bulldogs on day one, firing a 78-82,
helping the Dogs occupy a top-five position with 18 holes to play.
“Hayden played great on the first day. He played really well
at the Regional Tournament, and he really carried it over to state,” Todd said.
“He’s meant a lot to our program and he was a big part of continuing this
tradition.”
Tinsley shot his best round of his career in the second
round on Monday, carding a team-high 78, boosting the ‘Dogs to their lowest
round of the year (322).
“Parker had his best performance of the year on Monday,”
said Todd. “He has really come a long way as a golfer and he helped us out
tremendously this year.”
On the first day, Todd’s bunch was paired with eventual and defending state champion, OCS;
something that the former All-State golf coach said ended up helping in a big
way.
“I felt like playing with them (OCS) was something that
helped us stay focused. When your playing with a team that you knew, had a
chance to win state again, it makes you concentrate and I thought that helped
us play very well on the first day,” said Todd.
The Bulldogs finished the 2012 season strong, capping off
one of the more impressive terms in recent years.
“Overall, it was a huge success,” said Todd. “It’s a pretty
awesome feat, making the streak a decade long.”
The Bulldogs were champions twice during 2012, winning their
own event, The Sulphur Tournament and The Lindsay Invitational. Sulphur also placed 2nd in their
three other events: The Chickasaw Pointe Meet, LCC Conference Tournament and
the SCC Conference Tournament.
“I’m very excited for everyone that was involved,” Todd
said. “It really didn’t have a whole lot to do with me. It’s about the kids
that we have been blessed to have, along with the hard work they have put in
every year.”
As far as 2013 goes, Todd is excited about continuing the
good play and the state-qualifying streak, with a little help from some new
faces.
“We’ll have Collin (Hoyle), Jordan (Barefoot) and McLane
Jolly coming back, which will give us a great chance of competing at the state
level, once again,” said Todd. “We’ll also have a freshman coming in, Spencer
Upton, who has a lot of potential and has a chance to be a great attribute to
our group of guys.
When asked, “what’s next?” for Sulphur golf, Todd could help
but shake his head and smile.
“The sky is the limit for these guys, and our program.”
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