ALMA - El Dorado placed sixth Monday in the 5A Boys State Golf Tournament, played at Eagle Crest Golf Course. Benton repeated as the 5A state champion.
The Wildcats’ Keaton Michael shot 75 to lead El Dorado. Michael Moore, Caden Meadows and Peyton Howard each shot 83 while Cooper Henry scored 94.
“The course setup required strategic placement of the tee boxes. Missing a fairway or green by a few feet could land you in some areas without grass or even in some rock filled areas. We ran into a few of those today,” said El Dorado coach Chris Ezell.
“We had some solid play most of the day. Playing the ball down and hitting out of rocky areas cost us a few times.
“The only way out would have been to take an unplayable lie, which includes a penalty stroke. That was a couple of issues.”
Benton’s Paxton Lane won medalist honors with 67 followed by Hot Springs Lakeside’s Will Gordon, who shot 69. Searcy’s Luke Killough shot 70.
Eleven players shot 74 or better.
“We will graduate two seniors this year, Keaton Michael and Peyton Howard,” said Ezell. “Both guys have been around this program for four years and around me as a coach for more than eight years.
“I have enjoyed them and appreciate the way they battled through injuries over the last year to compete for us.”