Mt. Vernon Register-News

Sports

October 11, 2012

Mt. Vernon golf duo ready for state finals

By PAUL HINES paul.hines@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Waiting can be a difficult task in any circumstance.

It was especially challenging for Mt. Vernon’s Trevor Flota and Matthew Williams earlier this week. Both shot a 73 at the Carbondale sectional but had to wait more than two hours to see if their scores stood up against some of the best high school golfers in southern Illinois.

Instead of staying idle and watching the individuals scores being posted in the clubhouse, the two engaged in a friendly putting contest to keep busy. Flota was in a similar situation last season. The Rams team didn’t advance to state, but he hoped his score would be good enough to move on as an individual. He eventually missed the state finals by one spot. Flota wanted another outcome this year.

“If I would have missed it by one stroke again, I would have been so mad,” Flota said. “So I was just nervous. About halfway through the scores, we kind of knew that it would advance because there weren’t many below 73.”

Both players were also hoping for the Rams to advance as a team. Mt. Vernon placed third overall at the sectional and were eliminated by just a few strokes.

“I was actually more nervous,” Williams said. “I was wanting the team to go more than I was wanting just the individuals to go. And I was more nervous about that than I was about myself.”

Eventually the two Rams seniors knew their scores were good enough, and they would qualify for state. Waterloo’s John Wirth was the medalist at the sectional with a 68. Flota and Williams tied for the second lowest score of the individual golfers advancing.

Today the focus shifts for Flota and Williams to Bloomington, the site of the 2A state finals. Both played the course during a summer tournament and admitted conquering it will be a tough task. Flota said the course has a longer yardage than the ones Mt. Vernon played this season. It also possesses a narrow back nine holes that punishes inaccurate shots.

“If you don’t hit it in the fairway, you could make double bogey real fast. I think I made three double bogeys or four in a row last year on the first day,” Flota said.

The greens present a challenge because they’re elevated and firmer so the ball rolls quickly.

“The elevated greens got me because with the wind there, the wind whips, and it can cross either side,” Williams said.

Both golfers are dedicated to their craft. Flota plays daily in the summer, and Williams plays up to 36 holes in the offseason depending on what aspect of his game he needs to work on. Flota started the sport after he had knee surgery the summer before his freshman year. The surgery sidelined him from sports he normally played like basketball and baseball.

“The doctor told me that I could play golf, and I told him I didn’t play golf,” Flota said.

Eventually he gave the sport a try and has been playing ever since.

Williams gravitated to the sport through his father who taught him as a youth. He played in junior high but became serious about success once he entered high school.

The duo are the first Rams golfers to represent the school at the boys state finals since Logan Murphy qualified in 2009. Murphy finished 14th over the two-day event.

The first round of the state finals starts this morning with the tournament concluding on Saturday. Hamilton County will have a pair of representatives in the 1A state finals. Both Marc Cox and Landon Vaughan will play for the Foxes. Cox returns to state for the second consecutive season.

Text Only
Sports
  • Liriano dominates as Pirates edge Cubs 1-0 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night. Liriano (3-0) struck out nine and walked just one to remain unbeaten sinc

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-23 MTV baseball photo Rams rock Herrin in five HERRIN – Mt. Vernon wasted little time putting its opening round regional opponent away Wednesday. The Rams lashed Herrin 12-1 in five innings to advance to Saturday's title game. “We pitched well, and we really swung the bats well today,” Mt. Verno

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sports briefs Neibert starts state today Mt. Vernon boys tennis player Aaron Neibert begins state final action today. Neibert opens tournament play against Lake Forest's Brice Polender. The match will be played in Mt. Prospect near Chicago. The top 32 players in s

    May 23, 2013

  • Sports briefs Jarrett, Petty enter NASCAR hall CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR honored members of its royal families with inductions into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Past champion Dale Jarrett joined father Ned in the hall and master mechanic Maurice "Chief" Pett

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-22 MTV softball photo Rain washes away season early HERRIN - Weather ended up being the ultimate opponent in Mt. Vernon's opening round softball game. The Lady Rams trailed Carbondale 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lightning delayed the game at about 5:27 p.m. About 90 minutes later the game w

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Palmer ends career with record CHARLESTON – Mt. Vernon's Aaliyah Palmer ended her girls track career as a record holder. Palmer hurled the shot put 39 feet, 11 inches at the 2A state finals this weekend. Previously, Palmer had tied the school record with a throw of 39 feet, six in

    May 21, 2013

  • 5-21 Webber-Woodlawn baseball photo Trojans take first regional title BLUFORD – It's been a season of milestones for Webber's baseball team. The Trojans can add a regional title to a list that includes the school record for wins and Ty Henderson's 500th career strikeouts. Webber knocked off Woodlawn 4-1 to win the 1A

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • 5-21 Chelsea Miller photo 2 Crowning achievement WALTONVILLE – Chelsea Miller ended her glittering girls track career in storybook fashion. The Waltonville senior who competes for the Sesser-Valier/Waltonville track team finished her career with 10 state medals and one state title. For the hyper-c

    May 21, 2013 2 Photos

  • School board puts budget on public display MT VERNON – The Mt. Vernon Township Board of Education Monday voted to place the district's tentative amended budget for 2013 on public display for 30 days. Superintendent Mike Smith explained that changes may still be made to the document, which at

    May 21, 2013

  • Trojans take first regional title

    It's been a season of milestones for Webber's baseball team.

    May 18, 2013