Poplar Bluff's state-qualifying golfers Zach Stricker, Corey Poteet and Trent Hillis.

By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor

The MSHSAA golf championships will be much different this year for Poplar Bluff's Corey Poteet, Zach Stricker and Trent Hillis.

Since the Mules didn't qualify as a team, the trio will play the twoday tournament starting Monday in Republic with a little less weight on their shoulders.

"The last three years, there's more pressure on you because it's more about the team," Poteet said. "If you mess up -- you let your team down, not just yourself."

Poplar Bluff's run of four straight top five finishes at state included a pair of runner-up trophies featured plenty of nervous moments. But when the Mules finished second at the district tournament last week, they lost an opportunity to win the program's seventh state title.

Still, there's plenty at stake.

"Our goal was to go to state, win state," Mules coach Billy Pyland said. "Their goal now is to be medalist at state.

"That shows the class of the kids that I've got."

Poplar Bluff has only had four golfers win the individual state title while the top 15 individuals earn all-state honors.

"I feel like any one of us three, if we play well, can win it," Poteet said. "Especially Trent. I think we have a really good shot at each of us getting all-state."

Hillis, a sophomore, already has an all-state medal after finishing tied for 10th last year. Six of the 14 golfers who finished tied for 10th or better last year are back including Hillis, who is coming off one of his best 18-hole performances of the season.

Hillis shot a 2-under 70 at Dalhousie Golf Club while Poteet and Stricker also improved their score from the district held a week earlier at the same course.

The Mules will get a practice round Sunday at the 6,773-yard, par-72 Island Green Golf Course in Republic before the state tournament starts.

There are 10 par-4s while the rest are split between par-3s and par-5s. The front 9 is 179 yards longer than the back but each side is par-36.

Pyland said the trio of Mules need to familiarize themselves with the course during that practice round.

"They need to play a good round the first day," he added.

When Hillis' older brother Tyler won his individual state title in 2004 as a freshman he was even par after the first round and finished 1-under for the tournament. Last year, medalist Daily Young of Hillcrest, who is back to defend his title, was 1-under after the first day and finished 2-over.

Poteet said the biggest difference this year playing as an individual is the mindset head into the tournament.

"This year you're just more worried about yourself, your game and what you're going to do," he said.

Poteet finished tied for 51st last year at state, was 36th as a sophomore and 88th as a freshman.

Stricker tied for 68th last year as a sophomore when Poplar Bluff finished second, 11 strokes behind Glendale. Like the Mules, the defending state champs also did not qualify as a team even though the entire starting lineup returned.

In Class 3, Dexter sophomore Chance Holden earned medalist honors at district to qualify for state with an even-par 72. Holden will play at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.

In Class 1, Van Buren freshman Zane Betz qualified after earning medalist honors by two strokes with a 10-over 82 at districts. He'll play at Silo Ridge Golf & Country Club in Bolivar.

In Class 2, Clearwater sophomore Tanner McKinney qualified for his second state tournament by finishing third at districts with an 8-over 80. Malden junior Zane Huckeby also qualified by placing eighth at district with an 87. That state tournament will be held at Deer Lake Golf Course in Springfield.