Acuff Takes 2nd in State after Strong Charge to Challenge for 1st
It came down to the 36th hole, a 438 yd par 5. Ari entered the the second and final day of the Missouri Class 2 State Championship in a 3-way tie for 2nd, 3 strokes behind the leader. On the 17th hole of the 2nd round, after battling all day, Ari closed within 1 stroke of the leader and 2 clear of third place. She confidently took honors on the 18th tee box and laced a monster 290 yd drive to the middle of the dogleg left fairway. The leader, Taylor BeDell-Black, answered Ari's drive with a 240 yd drive of her own. Ari then launched her 7-iron the remaining 150 yds, hitting the green pin high then releasing and rolling approximately 20 feet past the hole. Taylor, answered again using her hybrid to also hit the green and roll about 25 feet past the hole. At that point, Taylor lagged her eagle putt for a tap-in birdie, knowing that Ari would need a downhill 20-ft eagle for the tie. And it was oh, so close. Ari's eagle attempt slid about 1/2 inch to the right of the hole, leaving Ari her own tap-in for the birdie. Both players responded admirably to the situation going stroke-for-stroke on an exciting final hole. Ari finished the tournament 74/72 for a 146 two day total, just one shy of the 71/74 (145) posted by Taylor. Too bad there wasn't one more round, or even one more hole - Ari was coming on strong. And, in a piece of Kickapoo history Ari's 146 total is the best total ever posted at the State tournament in Kickapoo's history.
It was an exhilarating end to a successful season for Ari, who won the Seymour Invitational and the Ozark Conference Championship. Then, she posted her best two rounds of the season on the challenging Rivercut course to earn her second year of all-state honors. Next year, the top of the medal stand awaits.
CONGRATULATIONS ARI - WE'RE ALL SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!! FEAR THE POO!
It was an exhilarating end to a successful season for Ari, who won the Seymour Invitational and the Ozark Conference Championship. Then, she posted her best two rounds of the season on the challenging Rivercut course to earn her second year of all-state honors. Next year, the top of the medal stand awaits.
CONGRATULATIONS ARI - WE'RE ALL SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!! FEAR THE POO!
Acuff Tied for 2nd After First Round of State Tournament
With a 2 over round of 74, Ari Acuff put herself in contention for the 2015 Missouri High School Class 2 State Golf title. She is tied for 2nd with two others and 3 strokes behind Taylor DeBell-Black of Warrensburg. On a gusty day at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Ari fought back from a 3 over 39 on her first nine holes to post a 1 under par 35 on her second nine. The totals could have been lower as several birdie puts just missed their mark by fractions of an inch. Tuesday is shaping up to be an exciting second and final round as Ari, Taylor and the other two golfers at 74 will be grouped in the final foursome of the day - teeing off at 10:09. Ari, a junior, finished in a tie for fourteenth in last year's State Tournament - good enough to earn her all-state honors.
Acuff Returns to State Championship Tournament
On Monday, September 28, the Class 2 Golf state playoffs began with 411 golfers representing 92 schools competing across the state in 8 District tournaments. Just over half (207) the golfers advanced to the 4 Sectional tournaments held this past Monday. Less than half (91) of those would go on to earn a spot in the State Championship being held next Monday and Tuesday (October 12-13) at the Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Mo.
Representing Kickapoo in Sectional 3 at the Horton Smith Golf Course were Senior Jamie Dillard and Junior Ari Acuff. Jamie was seeking her first trip to the State Championship, while Ari was looking for a return trip after her All-State showing last year. Joining the two Kickapoo golfers were 6 other golfers from SPS: 5 from Glendale (Brooke Briscoe, Elizabeth Ryan, Alexandra Briscoe, Caitlan Carman, Macy Doran) and 1 from Central (Julia DeLuce). Shooting a respectable 74, Ari secured her trip to the State Championship. Ari will be the lone Kickapoo and SPS representative at State, as Jamie and the other SPS golfers failed to make the cut. It was a disappointing end to a great season and career for team Captain Dillard who finishes the season with All Conference and All District honors. Acuff commented that she cannot wait to perform again on the big stage. “It was a huge deal for me to get back there and represent my school. This is my second year in a row, and I am looking forward to it because I want to do big things." We'll be cheering her on. |
Acuff, Dillard Advance to Sectionals
Team takes 3rd in Class 2, District 5 Championships
On Monday, Sep. 28 at the Piney Valley Golf Course in the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base in Waynesville, Kickapoo took on the other Class 2, District 5 competitors (Parkview, Hillcrest, Springfield Central, Glendale, Ozark, Nixa, Branson, Lebanon, Waynesville, Camdenton and West Plains) for District honors and the opportunity to advance to the next round of the state playoffs. The young Kickapoo team (3 of the 5 golfers competing in their first district tournament) battled their way to a strong 3rd place finish behind 1st place Camdenton and 2nd place Nixa. Unfortunately, only the top 2 of the 12 teams advance to the sectional round. Individually, Ari Acuff and Jamie Dillard earned All-District honors by placing in the top 15 out of 53 golfers.
Even though the team narrowly missed out on qualifying for sectionals, the top 15 golfers not on the sectional qualifying teams also advance to sectionals. For Kickapoo, this included junior golfer Ari Acuff who finished 2nd in the tournament (1 stroke out of first) and senior golfer Jamie Dillard who took 10th place in the tournament. It was a bittersweet ending for golfers Alison Pool and Meagan Good, who were just edged out of qualifying for sectionals. Pool finished 16th in the individual qualifying standings and Good finished 17th. Both Pool and Good along with Kickapoo's final district golfer, Alayna Haening, showed marked improvement during the season and give the team great promise for next year. The sectional tournament will be held Monday, October 5 at the Horton Smith Golf Course in Springfield. Good luck to Ari and Jamie as they play to qualify for the Class 2 State Championship tournament.
Even though the team narrowly missed out on qualifying for sectionals, the top 15 golfers not on the sectional qualifying teams also advance to sectionals. For Kickapoo, this included junior golfer Ari Acuff who finished 2nd in the tournament (1 stroke out of first) and senior golfer Jamie Dillard who took 10th place in the tournament. It was a bittersweet ending for golfers Alison Pool and Meagan Good, who were just edged out of qualifying for sectionals. Pool finished 16th in the individual qualifying standings and Good finished 17th. Both Pool and Good along with Kickapoo's final district golfer, Alayna Haening, showed marked improvement during the season and give the team great promise for next year. The sectional tournament will be held Monday, October 5 at the Horton Smith Golf Course in Springfield. Good luck to Ari and Jamie as they play to qualify for the Class 2 State Championship tournament.
Acuff Captures Ozark Conference Championship.
Team takes 3rd & Jamie Dillard earns All-Conference Honors with a 5th Place finish.
Monday, Sep. 21 was the Ozark Conference Championship at the West Plains Country Club. And, coming off a struggle at last week's Jim Pearson Invitational, Coach Odom wasn't sure what to expect. What she got was a team that turned in its best performance of the year. It was a day when the Lady Chiefs team of Ari Acuff, Jamie Dillard, Alison Pool, Alayna Haenig and Meagan Good came together for a 3rd place finish, just 3 strokes behind 2nd place finisher Joplin and 5 strokes behind 1st place Camdenton. Jamie Dillard earned All-Conference honors, capturing 5th place with a score of 88 and Ari Acuff ran away with 1st place medalist honors with a score of 74, 10 strokes better her nearest competitor. For Acuff, it was a bit of redemption after last week's Pearson Invitational. Acuff showed her determination after an unfortunate lie led to triple bogey on hole number 4. She steadied herself and played the final 14 holes at one over par - leaving the field to battle for 2nd.
Next up for the Lady Chiefs is the first round of State playoffs at the Class 2, District 5 Championship next Monday, hosted by the Waynesville Tigers at the Piney Valley Golf Course at Fort Leonard Wood. The Lady Chiefs hope to carry their Ozarks Conference momentum into the playoffs. Good job this week and good luck next week!
Next up for the Lady Chiefs is the first round of State playoffs at the Class 2, District 5 Championship next Monday, hosted by the Waynesville Tigers at the Piney Valley Golf Course at Fort Leonard Wood. The Lady Chiefs hope to carry their Ozarks Conference momentum into the playoffs. Good job this week and good luck next week!
Lady Chiefs Travel to St. Louis
JV Sees First Action of the Year
JV Sees First Action of the Year
This week the Kickapoo Lady Chiefs traveled to St. Louis for the Rockhurst Summit Invitational held at the Falls Golf Club in O'Fallon on a steamy late summer day with temperatures in the 90's. The Lady Chiefs did not place in the tournament, but Ari Acuff continued her stretch of medaling in every tournament so far this year with a 12th place finish. She secured this spot on the Par 5, 18th hole. After her 240 yd tee shot, she found herself 190 yards out to clear the front bunkers protecting the green. For all the other golfers this day, the bunkers made this hole a layup 2nd shot for a short 3rd shot over the bunkers to the green. Not for Ari. Instead, she pulled out her 3 hybrid, channeled her best Tin Cup, and sent her ball sailing straight toward the hole, landing softly on the green, 2 yards clear of the front bunker and leaving her a 20 ft attempt for eagle. After her eagle putt just skirted the right edge, she tapped in her par putt and her medalist finish.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Lady Chiefs competed in a match against city rivals Glendale and Parkview held at the Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield. It was also the first on-course action for the Junior Varsity who played on the Par 3 Oscar Blom course. Kickapoo emerged victorious in the 9 hole match, led by Ari Acuff (1st), Jamie Dillard (3rd) and Alison Pool (5th).
The Lady Chiefs return to Payne Stewart Golf Course on Tuesday, Sep. 8 for the popular and competitive MSU relays, which will feature some of the best teams and golfers in the state.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Lady Chiefs competed in a match against city rivals Glendale and Parkview held at the Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield. It was also the first on-course action for the Junior Varsity who played on the Par 3 Oscar Blom course. Kickapoo emerged victorious in the 9 hole match, led by Ari Acuff (1st), Jamie Dillard (3rd) and Alison Pool (5th).
The Lady Chiefs return to Payne Stewart Golf Course on Tuesday, Sep. 8 for the popular and competitive MSU relays, which will feature some of the best teams and golfers in the state.
Acuff Captures First High School Victory
Team Finishes Third
Congratulations to the Kickapoo Lady Chiefs. At the Seymour Invitational held today, August 27, at the Marshfield Country Club, the Lady Chiefs placed 3rd in a field of 18 teams with a total of 85 golfers. Individually, senior Jamie Dillard placed a career high 5th and junior ARI ACUFF BROUGHT HOME 1ST PLACE MEDALIST HONORS by three strokes. This is Ari's first tournament win as a Lady Chief and the first individual tournament win in several years for Kickapoo. Great job by everyone.
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The Kickapoo Lady Chiefs will be doing their part this season to support the PGA Web.com tour and local charities across the Ozarks. Thirty volunteers from our golfers, coaches and their families will be marshals (and recording long drive stats for the PGA) for the 17th hole of the Web.com Price Cutter Charity Championship held at Highland Springs Country Club next Wednesday through Sunday, contributing over 350 volunteer hours during that time. Last year, the PCCC distributed over $1 million to Ozarks area charities. We'll help them beat that record this year. A big thanks to the team and their boosters. http://pricecuttercc.org/
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The 2015 Kickapoo Lady Chiefs Golf season is here and rankings are underway. The Lady Chiefs are defending Champions of the 2014 Seymour Invitational, defending Champions of the MSU Relays, defending Champions of the Jim Pearson Invitational (with a record-setting team score of 315) and Runner-ups in the Class 2, District 5 Championship. Returning starters this year are All-District Senior Golfer Jamie Dillard and All-District, All-Conference and All-State Junior Golfer Aristelle Acuff. Good luck to Coach Odom and the team this year. Check back here for updates and results.