A two-time state qualifier and a player who just missed making it to state two straight years return to headline the St. James High School golf team this spring.
The Tiger golfers are scheduled to open 2010 on Thursday, March 25 by hosting Four Rivers Conference rival Pacific in a dual meet at the St. James Golf Course, starting at 4 p.m.
St. James returns three varsity lettermen from last season - junior Drew Tucker and seniors Jon Connell and Chase Ford.
Tucker has advanced on to the Missouri Class 3 State Tournament the past two seasons and is aiming to make it three-in-a-row this spring.
Connell is a returning all-conference player. As a sophomore he missed advancing to the state tourney by just one stroke and last season he missed out on a trip to state by three strokes.
There is a threesome battling to join Tucker, Connell and Ford on the varsity five. They include senior Grant Mueller and freshmen Jake Shockley and Jack Mueller.
In all the Tigers have nine players on the roster this spring.
“I’m pleased with the three returners we have,” said Tiger golf coach Kevin Conway. “Drew and Jon will shoot well and Chase Ford has put the time in over the last summer.
“We expect Drew and Jon will be shooting in the mid-30s. What we need are a couple of others to be in the low 40s. I think Chase Ford is coming on and Jake Shockley is No. 4 as a freshman right now. Those are four solid kids right now. If we can shoot in the low 160 range we’ll be in a lot of matches, and maybe some tournaments.”
Conway feels if the Tigers play up to their capabilities there is an outside shot they will could be in the thick of the battle for a conference championship. The league will again include several state-caliber players.
“Owensville has two state qualifiers back,” Conway said. “And they have some others who shot well in the conference meet. They’re pretty good. And Hermann is always good, too.”
