A long course with difficult pin positions and fast greens presented challenges for the Cassville girls golf team at Class 3 Girls Golf State on Oct. 16-17, but that did not stop senior Avery Chappell from medaling for the third year in a row, and with her best overall finish.
Chappell took sixth in the state, shooting back-to-back 85s for a score of 170 at Joplin’s Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.
. The winner, Osage’s Hanna Maschhoff, shot a 79 and 74 for a 153 to beat the runner-up by one stroke.
As a team, Cassville finished 7th with an 863, shooting 3 strokes better on day two of the tournament. Junior Adelee Hendricks was 70th with a 228, senior Gracie Harmon tied for 71st with a 229 and sophomore Madison Robertshaw took 78th with a 236.
“The girls were nervous on day one because it was the first experience for most of them,” said Jay Rogers, Cassville golf coach. “When we talked during the round, they felt like they were struggling, but when they were done, that were not far from their season averages, and on a difficult course.”
Chappell, who took 10th in the state as a sophomore and ninth last year, was aiming for top 10 this final go-around.
“I did pretty good for that course we played,” she said. “It’s set up different, a lot longer than courses we normally play. I was up and down the first day. The front nine I did really good, but on the back nine a lot of mistakes were made because I didn’t know where the trouble was. It was a course knowledge thing.
“But, I was super excited [to finish sixth]. It’s a big accomplishment, and if you had told me three years ago I would medal three times at state, I wouldn’t have believed it. We worked hard as a team this year to improve scores and learn how to stay in the game mentally — that was the biggest change.”
On day two, Chappell said the course was set up differently and more difficult, especially when it came to putting.
“Day two I had a more consistent round scoring-wise, but it was more challenging,” she said.
A shot on hole No. 13, followed by a recovery birdie on No. 15, pushed Chappell back into the higher placements. On 13, Chappell was stuck on a downhill lie forcing an awkward stance, but she managed to carry the ball over a water hazard and spot it about 15 feet from the hole and sunk the putt for a birdie.
“On 15, I holed out from the bunker for a birdie,” she said. “It was a high bunker too, above my head so far I could see the hole but I had to jump to see if I made it. The pin was also really close to the edge of the green by the bunker.”
Chappell said those two birdies boosted her confidence as she finished the round, battling through another challenge — the pace of play.
“It was really inconsistent,” she said. “It was fast, then slow, and there were some challenging holes on the back nine.”
By the round’s end, the top golfers had begun to catch up to players in front of them, slowing the overall pace of play.
A prior confidence boost came at hole No. 12, when Rogers offered some word of wisdom, though not all his own.
“Coach said I have seven holes left and to go play my game and don’t pay attention to anyone else,” Chappell said. “That was one of my biggest motivations.”
Rogers said the inspiration for the chat came largely from Chappell’s father.
“He was in my ear some, so I voiced what he had to say and added some of my own advice,” he said. “I challenged her competitive side and her focus, and she responded well.”
Rogers said Chappell’s performance was a bit inconsistent, but her ability to birdie four times over the two rounds kept her in the hunt.
“I think she will become more consistent at the next level,” he said. “It’s been a treat to coach her, and she’s a great kid and great teammate. In a lot of ways, her dad was her first coach, and he still kind of his. My job was to keep her mentally engaged and able to manage the course to put her in the best possible position to win.”
Chappell plans to sign to play golf at Drury in college next fall, and Rogers said that will be exciting.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what the next level has in store for her,” he said. “Avery, Chaney and Gracie, I hope what they have done maybe inspires other girls to pick up the game after seeing their success. I also want to thank the parents this season. Like any sport, the parents have to be involved for us to be successful.”
