Tanner Owen became the Class 4 Sectional 4 champion Monday, May 9, putting the Park Hill South senior in form to make a run at a state title.
After a disappointing round in District 8 play, Owen fired a 2-under 70 at Cardinal Hill Golf Course in Liberty, Mo. to win the postseason’s second tournament by six strokes. He has now won four tournaments this season and five total in his career — the first in last year’s district tournament.
Liberty North’s duo of Tanner Collins and Caleb Davis finished in a tie for second at 4-over 76.
Last week at District 8, Owen finished in a tie for second with teammate Zach Bischler, who finished tie for 22nd at sectionals. He shot an 11-over 83 and came in two shots back of the cut line (+9) for individuals.
The top two teams automatically qualify all five golfers for state along with the next 12 individuals including ties not from those teams.
Park Hill sent four to sectionals but only advanced one individual to state. Per state rules, the Trojans posted a team score and finished with a 351 — seventh out of nine qualified teams and 13 back of Liberty. Liberty North won the tournament at 315, while Rockhurst claimed the No. 2 team spot in a tiebreaker with Lee’s Summit West.
Both shot 321.
Kris Snodgrass led Park Hill with a 9-over 81 and tied for 13th with two other individuals who grabbed the final qualifying spots.
Like Owen, Snodgrass returns to the Class 4 Missouri State Golf Championships, advancing for a second straight year. He shot 82-88—170 last year and tied for 80th out of 92 golfers.
Owen made it to state each of his four years and looks to become a two-time medal winner. He placed sixth last year (72-73—145) and ended up just four shots off of winner Brad Carpenter of Washington.
According to state records, Park Hill South only has one other multiple time medal winner in program history (Chris Reinert, 2008-2009).