Both Republic golfers fought windy conditions to improve on their Monday scores during the second day of the state golf tournament. Republic senior Izzy Benson capped her high school golf career with her best-ever state tournament performance, finishing 39th at the Class 3 state championship at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield. Smith shot nine strokes better on Monday, despite more difficult conditions.
“I was really proud of both of them today for scoring better than they did yesterday in the wind,” Plotner said. “They are both great kids that represent our program in the right way. They both had a wonderful season.”
Benson shot rounds of 93 and 91 for a two-day total of 184, marking her highest placement and best overall score in four years of state competition. Her final-round 91 and opening-round 93 rank among her top three state tournament rounds.
The finish was an improvement from her junior season, when she placed 59th in Class 4 at Silo Ridge Country Club in Bolivar. Benson had placed 61st as a sophomore at Twin Hills in Joplin and 63rd as a freshman at Meadow Lake Acres in New Bloomfield.
“Izzy had a tremendous career,” said coach Curt Plotner. “She was extremely consistent all four years, and she is one of the best that we have ever had. She is a wonderful kid and will be extremely successful in the future.”
Sophomore Jenna Smith made her state tournament debut, shooting rounds of 104 and 95 for a two-day total of 199. Her second-round improvement — knocking nine strokes off her score from the first day — helped her secure 57th place overall at Rivercut.
(Editor’s Note: I originally reported Smith placed 65th.)
Plotner said he expects even more of her in the future.
“Jenna continued to grow throughout the season, and I think her best days are ahead of her. She got a taste of the state tournament this year and knows what she needs to work on in the offseason,” Plotner said.
