The 5A South boys’ golf championship could be a three-team race Wednesday when the tournament tees off on the Parks Course at the Hot Springs Country Club.
El Dorado and Hot Springs Lakeside along with Benton could all be in the hunt for the crown. The tournament tees off at noon.
El Dorado coach Chris Ezell said Benton, which rejoined the conference this year, has a young squad and will be favored based on the Panthers’ regular-season scores. However, El Dorado and Lakeside both have the talent to contend.
“We have played each other a few times this year with mixed results,” said Ezell. “We beat them by one on a neutral site and they have beat us by a few shots on their home course.”
The Rams will have the home course advantage and are led by sophomore Will Gordon, who won the individual medalist last year at the state tournament.
“Jon Brooks Elia has been steady all year and leads us into the post season coming off one of his best rounds at Mystic this season,” Ezell said. “Keaton Michael has started to hit his stride as of late and the trio of Peyton Howard, Caden Meadows and Sam York have shown signs of better play recently. We have the talent to compete for a third consecutive conference title but we will have to perform well.”
Elia has shown the ability to shoot below-par scores. But, the Wildcats’ strength could be the balance on the team.
“Our boys have really stepped up this year. JB and Keaton were the only two varsity players that returned from last year's squad. Sam had taken a year away from golf and Peyton and Caden really made some considerable improvements this year and will give us a chance to compete again this year,” said Ezell. “Benton may be considered the favorite, but I feel like it should be a three-team race with us and Lakeside in the mix. Any of those three teams could come out on top Wednesday in a one-day tournament.”