Dating back to the 1950’s, El Dorado has boasted one of the top high school golf programs in Arkansas. Both boys and girls, El Dorado has accumulated 17 golf state championships, tied with Cabot for second all-time behind Fayetteville’s 23.
This season, El Dorado added a pair of state titles to its total as the Lady Wildcats and Wildcats claimed 5A State championships over the past two weeks in Mountain Home.
Coach Chris Ezell, golf coach at El Dorado for 18 years, has led the program to six state titles.
“Each state championship is special because of all the time you put in with each kid that comes through the program,” said Ezell.
“Getting both boys and girls titles in the same season will be something that will be difficult to top as a coach. This is my fifth girls title, but first boys title. The last boys state title was 1987. So that drought makes it real significant for our program.”
The Lady Wildcats’ state titles were won in 2020, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2004, 2002 and 2000. The Wildcats were state champs in 2020, 1987, 1973, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1953, 1952, 1951 and 1950.
Ezell said this year was also special for other reasons that reach beyond the course.
“This season has a little extra personal sentiment with my son, Aaron being on the team and him being the final Wildcat to come off the golf course and it was his score that secured the state title,” the coach said.
“That memory will be tough to beat as a father and coach. My dad was also there and watched his entire round, so we got to share that moment with him as well.
“Having to wait for over an hour as the other groups finished was probably one of the most anxious moments in my coaching career.
“I have never been one to count on anything until that final score gets posted or the pro announces the winner, so that stretch in time seemed like an eternity. Especially given the fact that all of our scores were posted and there wasn’t anything that we could do except wait.”
Ezell said the boys’ title was also special because of the lone senior in the program.
“Preston Howard has been a fantastic leader for us this season. He has been on one of my teams since he was 10-years-old (archery at WMS). He really developed into our No. 1 seed for most of the last two seasons.
“He will be missed from our program, but we were able to send him out in style. I can’t speak enough about the type of young man he is. I am thankful he chose to be a part of the golf team.”