Coach excited for the future of the program

By Jared Lankford Special to the Monett Monthly

In a season capped with long days, weather delays and plenty of uncertainty, in the end, the Monett Cubs proved exactly why they were one of the top golf teams in Missouri this spring.

Coach Brian Cox said the Class 3 State Championship in Sedalia became a test of patience and endurance as storms repeatedly pushed back tee times over the two-day event.

“We went up Sunday and did our practice round, and then Monday, everything just kept getting pushed back,” Cox said. “Our earliest tee time was supposed to be around 8:40 a.m., then it kept moving because of the weather. We ended up doing a shotgun start at 3 p.m. and the last groups were coming in at dark.”

The Cubs did not return to the hotel until nearly 10 p.m. Monday night before repeating a similar routine Tuesday morning.

“We got up again around 6 a.m. or 6:30 a.m. for early tee times, then it kept getting delayed because of rain,” Cox said. “It was 12:30 p.m. before they teed off. We got home after 11 o’clock last night.”

Despite the difficult conditions, Cox praised tournament officials for making sure the golfers were able to complete the full 36-hole championship format.

“They did an outstanding job getting all 36 holes in,” Cox said. “For a state title, that’s important. Over 36 holes, usually the best player and the best team rise to the top.”

Cox, who has coached for 26 years, said the two-day format separates the truly consistent golfers from those who simply catch fire for one round.

“You can have somebody shoot one really great round,” he said. “But it’s hard to do it two days in a row with pressure involved. That’s why I’ve always believed 36 holes matters.”

The Cubs finished seventh overall in Class 3 with a 627 score (315 on day one and 312 on day two). Eldon won the event with a 596 (302 and 294).

The Cubs certainly proved their consistency throughout the season.

Monett won three tournaments, finished second in three more and captured the Big 8 Conference championship. Cox intentionally schedules challenging events, routinely placing the Cubs against larger schools such as Kickapoo, Nixa, Ozark, Jefferson City Helias.

As the season progressed, Monett consistently found itself paired with some of the best teams in the region.

“That was a big sign of respect,” Cox said. “When tournament directors are pairing you with schools like Kickapoo, Nixa and Ozark, it means they know you belong there.”

What made this Monett team especially unique, according to Cox, was its balance from top to bottom.

“I’ve had some really good teams, but I’ve never had one quite like this,” he said. “All five boys were right there together. Every one of them led us at some point this year, even our freshman Connor Bailey. You just never knew who was going to step up that day.”

The Cubs’ lineup featured seniors Parker Doss and August Black along with junior Bryce Hoyt, sophomore Brady Rhea and Bailey contributing throughout the year.

At state, Black tied for 9th with a 150 (9 shots off the lead), Hoyt tied for 31st with a 156, Rhea and Bailey tied for 56th with 163s, and Doss tied for 78th with a 171.

Cox said the team’s chemistry stood out as much as its talent.

“They competed with each other, but they also played for each other,” he said. “They knew every score mattered.”

One of the biggest surprises came from Doss, who only began seriously playing golf less than two years ago after previously focusing on baseball.

“I’ve never seen a kid like Parker,” Cox said. “He started playing golf the summer after his sophomore year and just played and played and played. To be shooting in the 70s in tournaments that quickly takes an incredible amount of work.”

While Monett graduates several key seniors, Cox believes the foundation for continued success is already in place.

Hoyt, Rhea and Bailey all return next season with valuable state tournament experience.

“Bryce has learned so much,” Cox said. “His course management has improved tremendously, and that only comes with experience. Brady and Connor have gained a lot too.”

Cox said the next step for the program will be finding younger players willing to dedicate themselves to the sport in the offseason.

“It takes a love for the game and a desire to get better,” he said. “You can’t get enough offseason days with a coach to replace kids just going out and playing on their own.”

Fortunately for Monett, Cox believes the local golf culture gives the Cubs a chance to continue building strong teams.

“One thing I was always jealous of before coaching at Monett was having a good course right there in town,” he said. “You’d always see kids out there playing. We’ve just got to find the next group ready to step up.”