The Kosciusko boys golf team finished seventh out of 15 teams at the 4A state match. It was a 36-hole match over two days at Pontotoc Country Club.
Kosciusko had a team score of 357 in tough conditions the first day. “It was muddy from all the rain and there was a brutal wind,” said coach Wylie Rhodes.
The Whippets came back with 330, the best round of the season, under more friendly conditions the second day.
All four golfers improved the second day. Jeremy Gibson led the Whippets with rounds of 84 and 78 for 162, placing him 11th out of 88 golfers. Josh Gibson was 18th with 84-81—165, followed by Jon Gant 33rd with 96-83–179 and Karson Rutherford 39th with 93-88—181.
All four are juniors. “I think we are set up really well for next year,” Rhodes said.
Ripley won the match with a 610 total, six strokes better than West Lauderdale. They were followed by Choctaw Central and Itawamba AHS both 671, Corinth 685, Purvis 686, Kosciusko 687, New Albany 691, Stone 710, Pass Christian 724, Sumrall 728, Pontotoc 746, South Pontotoc 764, Mooreville 773 and North Pontotoc 894.
“We set a goal this year of finishing in the top five. They were two shots away,” Rhodes said.
Kosciusko qualified for the match by finishing second behind West Lauderdale at the Region 4-4A match at Dancing Rabbit.
Kosciusko had a girls team for the first time last year, but all three scheduled matches were rained out. The school was unable to get enough players for a team this year, but Rhodes is hoping there will be a team next year.
