Farmington Boys Third At State Golf

SOUTH PLANS TO WORK OUT OVER OFFSEASON

FARMINGTON — Farmington’s quartet of solid golfers came in third during the State 4A Golf meet with 249 points behind defending champion Valley View, 224; and Pulaski Academy, 238.

Sophomore sensation Rhett South didn’t get the individual state medalist title he sought, but that only motivates him to improve. South found himself in a playoff for the second straight year. He finished second among individual standings as a freshmen after losing a playoff to Devyn Pappas, son of former University of Arkansas and PGA golfer Dean Pappas, who shot a 1-under-par 70. Pulaski Academy’s Jackson May became the silver medalist with a 72.

“This year I came in with a different mindset. I wanted to win it all,” South said. “I pushed myself a little too hard.”

South felt he was playing good and was confident he could win the playoff when he finished in a three-way tie for third place with Shiloh Christian’s Ben Fowler and Valley View’s Hunter Jones.

“It didn’t happen that way,” South said.

Still, who he lost to took some of the sting off not winning the playoff.

“My friend, Ben Fowler, won the playoff. I’m happy for him,” South said. “I’d be more mad if I didn’t lose to him.”

After the playoff South was ranked fourth and Jones fifth.

None-the-less South’s desire remains to win gold and bring home the medalist award.

“I just want to be a state champion,” South said, while noting the Cardinals did better as team this year.

The course during the District 4A-1 golf meet at Harrison fit better. State was played at Heber Springs’ Red Apple Inn and Country Club, and didn’t fit him as well.

“I’ve got to practice more, have a more open mind for where my game’s at at the time,” South said, although he admits, “It could be a lot worse. I could’ve not made All-State.”

In retrospect, South prepares himself to work out with a goal of hitting the ball longer next year. He doesn’t want to dwell on the state results.

“I just want to keep moving on,” South said. “I don’t want to think about that too much because it’ll just set me back.”

Landon Lawson shot an 83 to finish in the top 15 while Dakota Bogan, 91; and Clayton Antwine, 92; rounded out the team.

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Farmington sophomore Rhett South helped the Cardinal boys golf team place third at state after winning the Conference and District championships. South finished in a tie for third overall, but lost a playoff to Shiloh Christian’s Ben Fowler and placed fourth at state. He plans to work on his game during the offseason and come back next year seeking a state medalist title.