El Dorado will host the 5A South Conference Golf Tournament at Mystic Creek on Tuesday with tee times starting at 9 a.m.
El Dorado coach Chris Ezell said Mystic Creek PGA Pro Casey Wroot and Superintendent Scott Kuhn were excited to host the event.
“They do a tremendous job on the course and it will be a challenge for these high school golfers to advance to state,” said Ezell.
The players will be competing for a spot in the 5A State Tournament, which will be held at Big Creek in Mountain Home.
“El Dorado has the talent to contend for both titles this season. The key for our success will be our mental toughness because Mystic Creek is the toughest course we play on all season,” said Ezell. “I have talked to our kids about being prepared for higher scores than normal and to not get too worked up over a bad hole or poorly executed shot. Those things are going to happen out there and if we can manage those situations, we will have an opportunity to win both titles.”
Hot Springs Lakeside has dominated the league since it joined. The Rams’ Wil Griffin will be favored to win medalist honors for the boys.
“Preston Howard has been performing strong these last few matches and could factor into the race with a solid performance,” Ezell said. “We finished behind Lakeside on their home course in the rain-shortened match. It should come down to us two schools in the boys’ competition. We are going to have to rely on our balanced scoring and course knowledge to get the job done. Jon Brooks Elia, Keaton Michael, Miller Wallace and Aaron Ezell have performed well at different events throughout the season and hopefully it all comes together in this event.”
El Dorado’s Aubrey Marx and Hope Walthall could battle Sheridan’s Emma Hester for girls’ medalist. The Lady Wildcats have a good opportunity for the league title.
“I believe our team has the depth, with Alexa Hulsey and Lani Hammock, to outlast Lake Hamilton and Sheridan on our home course,” said Ezell. “Lake Hamilton and Sheridan will be the primary competition for us in the girls’ division.”
Teams in the tournament include El Dorado, Hot Springs, Lake Hamilton, Lakeside, Sheridan, Texarkana and White Hall.