EHS opens season with sweep
The 25th Simmons Bank/Wildcat Invitational is one that will be remembered fondly by El Dorado's golf teams.
For the first time since 2011, the Wildcats and Lady Wildcats swept the event at the Lions Club on Monday to start the 2020 season off in rousing fashion.
The Wildcats have fought tooth and nail through the years with Bryant for the team title, and Monday was no exception with the Wildcats edging the Hornets by three strokes to win the title with a team score of 316.
“The boys are definitely excited to win this,” El Dorado golf coach Chris Ezell said. “We weren't exactly how far back it's been since we've won the tournament. Conway and Bryant have dominated over the last few years, so we've probably had more top-three finishes out of there. They were excited to come out on top with a narrow victory.”
Jon Brooks Elia fired a 74 to lead the Wildcats. He was the runner-up in the race for medalist honors behind Bryant's Logan McDonald, who shot 70.
“The biggest thing I got from him was that he thinks he had close to about 16 birdie putts, so he was frustrated by not getting any of those to fall,” Ezell said of Elia. “He started off the first hole with a birdie, and then couldn't make any putts after that part, but he still played a great round. Getting pars in golf is good. The birdies are the extra benefit when everything is going right. He definitely feels there is room to improve over the course of the season.”
The Wildcats also got a solid round from Preston Howard, who shot a 78 to finish third.
“He's my one senior in the whole program,” Ezell said. “He came today with a little chip on his shoulder after qualifying in the four spot to start the season. It motivated him to put forth his best, and he came out with it today.”
Keaton Michael and Aaron Ezell each shot 82 to round out the Wildcats' winning score.
Playing as an individual, El Dorado's Nate Weinischke tied Bryant's Daniel Taylor for fourth place with a 79.
While there was plenty of drama surrounding the Wildcats' win, the Lady Wildcats rolled to their title, finishing with a team score of 277. Crossett was second with a team score of 330.
“I think if you talk to each one of them, they all felt like they still could've done better,” Ezell said. “Their expectations have increased on themselves, so yes, they won, but I think they're all eager to get back to work and try to really improve on some things they struggled with at different points.”
Aubrey Marx shot an 84 to lead El Dorado, finishing one stroke behind Crossett's Tori Milton for third place individually.
“Aubrey shot an 84, but she played with the medalist and the runner-up, so she got to watch firsthand the top two scorers,” Ezell said.
Hope Walthall shot a 95 and Alexa Hulsey added a 98 to round out the Lady Wildcats.
Magnolia's Meghan Lindsey was the medalist with a 72, and Ezell said he wasn't surprised with the low scores posted by both medalists.
“Those kids have been playing tournament golf as soon as they fired up the tournaments again,” Ezell said. “Those kids play in those type of events all the time, so it's not surprising to see them reach those scores.”