Dexter's Stevens takes 2nd at PB Invitational

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Carr Vernon bounced back from a bad bounce Monday to take medalist honors at the Poplar Bluff Invitational.

Vernon's second shot on No. 11 at Westwood Hills Country Club sailed over the green, hit a cart path and landed across the street. It didn't slow the Poplar Bluff senior, who shot a 2-under-par 69 to lead the Mules to the team title.

"I missed a few opportunities, but I played good," said Vernon, who has signed to play at Akron University in the fall.

Poplar Bluff shot 298 to win by 20 strokes over runner-up Notre Dame. The Bulldogs edged Jackson by a stroke, 318-319, followed by PB Maroon (320) and Sikeston (321), the defending champions.

Cody Stevens of Dexter finished second at 1-under 70. It was the best round of the season for the Dexter senior

His day started with a birdie and the senior got to 4-under par after an eagle on the par-5 ninth and a birdie on the par-3 10th. After a 3-wood from 250 yards landed on the front of the ninth green, Stevens rolled in a 35-foot putt for eagle.

"It just fell in," he said. "It was nuts."

Stevens, playing six groups ahead, led by four strokes when Vernon's shot went out of bounds and he carded a double bogey on No. 11. The margin was the same with five holes left but Stevens was headed to the front 9 facing a tougher finish.

After a double bogey on No. 1, a 351-yard, par-4, Stevens birdied the par-5 second and was 3-under with two holes left. However, consecutive bogeys on a pair of par 4 holes put him at 1-under.

"Had a couple of bad shots," said Stevens, who has signed to play golf at Missouri Valley College.

Vernon finished strong, playing the final four holes 2-under and also barely missed birdie putts on the par-3 16th and par-4 17th. He started his round 1-over after a bogey on the par-3 third but made the turn at 2-under with consecutive birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 before another on the par-5 ninth.

"I feel like I putted okay, I just didn't hit them hard enough," Vernon said. "I guess the greens were not as fast as I thought they'd be."

Travis Simmons of Cape Central was third at 74 while a pair of Poplar Bluff players were fourth at 75.

On a sunny day with some wind, the rest of the field struggled to break 80 on the 6,427-yard course. In fact, only 13 players did just that out of 77 as the field played the ball down.

"It was pretty tough," Stevens said. "Playing from the (back tees), it's rough."

Notre Dame edged Jackson at the No. 5 spot as Brady Dixon and Cody Cox each shot 81 for the Bulldogs. Gunnar Knudtson shot 76 to tie for sixth to lead Notre Dame while Jake Seabaugh added an 80.

Jackson was led by Eli Pike's 76 while Drew Hosp shot 78 for 11th. Adam Way (81) and Zach Crader (84) helped the Inidans beat Poplar Bluff's Maroon team by a stroke.

The Mules were 3 strokes shy of having two teams finish 1-2.

Along with Vernon's 69, Hunter Pyland placed tied for fourth at 75 while seniors Collin Davis and Jake Russell each shot 77 for ninth place.

Ryan McVey shot 75 to lead Poplar Bluff's second team while Nick Woolard shot 79. Davis Caldwell (80) and Joe Eyler (86) also scored for the Maroon Mules, who beat the defending champions Sikeston by a stroke.

For complete results see page 7 of today edition of the Daily Statesman under the Scoreboard