Several area golfers and a pair of local teams will be competing for honors in their respective classes in the state championships starting today.
Michael Davidson of the Jefferson City Jays will begin play today in the Class 4 state golf championships in Bolivar.
It's the second trip to state for Davidson, a junior, who finished tied for 68th last season. He is scheduled to tee off at 9:03 a.m.
Davidson advanced to state by finishing 12th at the district tournament and 13th at last Monday's sectional.
The Class 4 championships will be held at Silo Ridge Golf Course. Rock Bridge returns to defend its team state title.
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The Class 2 state championships will have a distinct area flavor when they begin this morning at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.
The Eldon Mustangs and the California Mustangs both advanced as teams as did several Mid-Missouri individuals.
California, which won the sectional title by one stroke against Eldon last week, was fourth in the Class 2 championships last season.
Jordan Geiser, a senior, leads the returning Pintos, tying for 19th at state last season. Jordan Bondurant, a junior, tied for 37th, while junior Christopher Cassil was 85th. It will be the first state tournament for freshman Enoch Dunnaway and junior Kyle Kirksey.
Eldon will have three seniors - Jay Dunham, Austin Kostelnik and Nicholas Willingham - at state. They will be joined by junior Logan Schultz and sophomore Aiden Wells. The Mustangs won the district title by 23 strokes two weeks ago at Eldon Country Club.
Kostelnik finished fourth to top the Mustang individuals at the sectional tournament after tying for third at districts.
Individuals playing in the championships include:
Ori Bartlett of Versailles, who was 12th in state last year.
Jake Closser of Blair Oaks won medalist honors at the district tournament, then advanced by tying for eighth last week in the sectional.
Cole Lehman of Fatima, who finished 16th at districts and tied for 18th at sectionals.
Linn teammates Alek Peters and Kole Peters. Alek Peters tied for 45th in the Class 1 state championships last season, while Kole Peters tied for 72nd. Alek Peters was 11th at the sectional, while Kole Peters tied for 12th
The Class 2 championships will be held at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.
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Sam Owens will make some Calvary Lutheran history this morning when he tees off in the Class 1 state championships at Sedalia Country Club.
In the first year of the program, Owens is the first golfer to advance to the state tournament after tying for third in his sectional last week. He tees off at 8:09 a.m.
Caden Anderson of Eugene also advanced in Class 1 after tying for 17th in his sectional. He will begin play at 9:57 a.m.