Griffith moves up in class, still wins

PARAGOULD — Evan Griffith was playing in a different classification from last season, but the Greenwood senior managed the same result. Griffith fired a 2-under 68 at the Paragould Country Club on a pleasant Tuesday afternoon to earn medalist honors at the Class 5A boys state tournament. Griffith was the medalist of the 2017 Class 6A state tournament. “There wasn’t a specific number I wanted to shoot,” Griffith said. “My main goal was to beat everyone in my group.” Griffith, the 5A-West champion, was playing in a foursome that included all of the other 5A conference winners. He came out with a one-stroke victory over Brendon Little of Benton and Chance Matthews of Paragould. Paragould won the team title with a 293. Hot Springs Lakeside was second with a 296. Griffith secured the victory with a birdie on his final hole, the 411yard par 4 No. 18. “I didn’t hit a great drive, and where I hit the ball I had an awkward lie for my second shot,” Griffith said. “But I put it within 5 or 6 feet of the pin and made the birdie. That made my day.” Griffith said he felt good about the way he played, especially considering that he was unfamiliar with the course. He did hit 15 of the 18 greens on a day and course that made for “easy conditions.” “I could have made more putts, but not really knowing the course, I’m pleased with how it turned out,” Griffith said. “If you don’t keep it in the fairway, it could cost you.”