— Chandler Puckett wondered how he would follow up a tournament championship he won last week.

The Hilldale sophomore had rounds of 76 and 73 for a  total of 149  to finish in second place at the regional tournament at CobbleStone Creek Golf Club. A week ago, he won the Pryor Invitational with rounds of 76 and 71 for a 147.

“I’m really glad to back up what I did last week,” he said. “I kept making pars (on Monday). I stayed out of trouble. I had a lot of confidence after shooting my career best last week.”

Puckett will be the lone Hilldale representative at the state tournament at Lake Hefner North Course in Oklahoma City. The Hornets finished in fourth with their team total of 660.

Less than two weeks ago, coach Larry Childers’ squad placed 11th out of 19 teams at their own invitational.

“You’d think we would do better on our home course, but we haven’t,” he said. “Maybe it’s a lack of concentration or focus. If you don’t focus in golf, that leads to trouble. It’s hard to figure out because we play on that course every day.”

Metro Christian (622) won the team title, while Casica Hall and Seminole tied for second at 657. Seminole’s Blade Knox was the medalist with his 143 that including shooting a 1-under par 71 in the second round.

Elsewhere in 4A, Fort GIbson shot a 322 to finish third in its regional at Wolf Ridge Golf Club in Poteau and qualify for the state tournament. The regional only played 18 holes because of rain.

Justin Morrow finished second in the individual standings with his 75 and Wesley Jackson (79) was fifth on the par 72 course. The other Tigers’ scores included Collin Abdallah (83), Relton Walters (85) and Jordan Mackey (87).

Ada (309) and Poteau (322) finished first and second in the team standings.



Class 5A

Tahlequah’s Jake Johnson shot an even-par 70 in his first round and then shot an 3-over par 73 to finish with a 143 in taking medalist honors at the Class 5A boys high school regional golf tournament at McAlester Country Club on Monday.

Johnson gives credit to his putting for his showing in the regional.

“It was really going well for me,” he said about his two rounds. “I also hit a lot of good shots when I needed them. I could’ve done better, but our team did well. I’m really proud of them.”

Tahlequah finished third in the team standings with its 617 to qualify for the state tournament next Monday and Tuesday at Chickasaw Point in Kingston. Shawnee (592) and Tulsa Bishop Kelley (594) finished first and second, respectively.

“This is a good group of kids who are dedicated to the game,” Tahlequah coach Nick Baker said. “I’m smiling from ear to ear right now.”

The other Tahlequah scores included Hunter Pennington (81-77—158), Kyler Parnell (82-77—159), Brent Spradlin (82-78—160) and Blake Cochran (79-85—164).



Class 6A

Muskogee’s Spencer Smythe (149) and Stephen Allen (151) qualified for the state tournament at Karsten Creek in Stillwater. It marks the third straight year for Allen to advance to state while Smythe will be making his first appearance.

Muskogee shot a 631 for the regional tournament at Ponca City Country Club and finished in seventh place, three shots back of Norman who earned the final team spot with a 628.



Class 3A

Checotah’s Zack Oliver shot a 146 in his two rounds at the regional tournament at Scissortail Golf Club in Verdigris. He will play in the state tournament at Dornick HIlls Country Club in Ardmore.

Rylan Bunch of Sequoyah also qualified with his two-round total of166.

Teamwise, Stigler placed second with its 671 to qualify for the state tournament in Ardmore. Idabel won the regional with a score of 628. The Panthers scores included Dillon Wiedemann (160), Cameron Buckner (163)Tye Mitchell (174), Lane Stanfield (174) and Levi Moss (190).