Junior takes 63rd place in Class 3 tournament

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

Cassville junior Kaleb Artherton enjoyed his first state golf championship experience last week, shooting a 165 over two days at Sedalia Country Club to finish in 63rd place among 96 competitors.

Clayton Bagby, Cassville golf coach, said Artherton, who shot a 79 on day one and an 86 on day two, wishes his second day had been better, but the accomplishment is still a point of pride.

“Overall, I think he would have liked to have played better on the second day, but he has a lot to be proud of for the way he finished the season going up to Sedalia and playing an unfamiliar course in tough conditions and shooting in the 70s on day one,” Bagby said. “It was two long days for sure. On day one, he was supposed to tee off at 8:30 a.m. but did not actually tee off until 3 p.m., finishing just before dark. 

“On the second day, weather played a major factor. The course was extremely wet from two days of rain, so there was another delayed start at 12:30 p.m., with it misting most of the day.”

After day one, Artherton sat in 39th place out of the 96, aided heavily by his short game.

“Kaleb’s short game, especially chipping around the green, was very good both days,” Bagby said. “He was able to hole out for a birdie and run in a couple of longer putts that led to a very respectable 79 that day.”

On day two, Bagby said tee shots and putting were paramount, and a few mishaps here and there led to the 7-stroke difference.

“It wasn’t an overly lengthy course, but placement off the tee was very important with some demanding tee shots,” Bagby said. “[Artherton] just missed on a few of those that led to a couple of higher numbers. He was battling his swing most of the second day but still did a great job of scrambling and turning in a very respectable 86 on a day that could have gotten away a little bit more.”

With the season behind them, Bagby said Artherton’s arc of accomplishments is notable, especially given how the season began.

“What Kaleb was able to do down the stretch of the season was very impressive, and he has a lot to be proud of,,” Bagby said. “I believe an injury in the weight room caused some of his struggle early, even though he wouldn’t tell you that, so he played the entire season with pressure on him to perform. I believe that only helped make him better and to be able to score when he needed to most.”

Looking toward his senior year, Bagby said Artherton’s experience should give him some extra drive in 2027.

“I think this will just drive him, as well as Cheney Kelley, who followed along for the two days, and Dennis Craig to all want to get back next year in their senior years,” Bagby said. “Kyle Brown also showed great improvement over the previous year and will be looking to make an impact in that regard also.”