It's the final competition for Kory Franks at Blair Oaks High School.
The Falcons are looking to send the senior out in style at the Class 2 state golf championships starting today at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.
"It's time for us to do something for Kory, he's carried us for four years, it's time for us to do something for Kory Franks," Blair Oaks coach Leroy Bernskoetter said. "We'll see if we can rally around that."
Franks, who has signed to play golf at Missouri State, is the defending individual champion in Class 2. He tied for ninth as a sophomore.
Bernskoetter said it's been a bit of an inconsistent season for Franks
"I don't know if Kory has every felt as comfortable as he felt last year," he said.
Franks tied for fourth in last Monday's sectional tournament with an 81. But there was more than a little bad luck involved, including a drive that settled in a very unusual place.
"We couldn't find it and then we saw it up in a tree that was just off the fairway," Bernskoetter said.
Franks is very familiar with Rivercut, having played the course many times with his swing coach who works there.
"It can be an advantage for him, but Kory's been working hard and he's not going to take anything for granted," Bernskoetter said.
Tanner Elder, a junior, tied for eighth last year at state after tying for second as a junior.
"Tanner had really stepped up and joined Kory as a leader this season," Bernskoetter said.
The 1-2 punch of Franks and Elder gives the Falcons a leg-up on many of their state competitors.
"I wouldn't bet against them when it comes to crunch time," Bernskoetter said. "They don't get rattled."
Jake VanRonzelen, coming off a tie for 12th at the sectional, has been a solid No. 3 golfer for the Falcons this season.
But finding that fourth player who can post a decent score has been a bit of problem. The Falcons entered the season hoping to solve that puzzle and Bernskoetter said they're still waiting.
"It's been inconsistent with some of the younger guys," Bernskoetter said. "They get in a hurry and try to do a lot, they just need to stay from the bad holes. That's the only thing that hurts us."
"For us to do well as a team, it's going to take four strong scores."
Kyle Backes and Braydon Pemberton round out the Falcon qualifiers.
"Kyle has shot in the 80s, he's been in the low 40s in nine-hole matches, which is good for a No. 4 golfer," Bernskoetter said. "It's a matter of him playing within himself and not letting himself get down."
Blair Oaks was fifth as a team last year. Barstow is the defending team champion and the favorite heading into the tournament. Other title contenders include Whitfield, Lamar and Southern Boone.
"We're hoping for two days we can put things together," Bernskoetter said.
III
Blair Oaks and Southern Boone have swapped top spots in tournaments the last two weeks. After the Falcons won the district tournament title, the Eagles came back to take team honors at the sectional.
Walker Kesterson, second at the state tournament last year after tying for 11th in 2013, leads the Eagles. Kesterson won the sectional title last Monday.
Other Southern Boone qualifiers include Jakob Warren, Brayden Watts, Tanner Sherman and Alex Zagorac.
Eugene has two qualifiers - Carson Doerhoff and Cameron Lauf. Travis Reger of Versailles and Logan Taylor of South Callaway also will play in the two-day event.