Liberty’s Sam Parrott and Lee’s Summit West's Kerry Maguire lead Missouri Class 4 state golf meet

The rain remained steady for the duration of the Missouri Class 4 state golf tournament Monday in Bolivar, Mo. It was accompanied by cool temperatures and wind gusts.

Lee’s Summit West senior Kerry Maguire and Liberty junior Sam Parrott described the conditions as miserable.

But they’re hoping for more of the same tomorrow.

Maguire and Parrott successfully navigated the weather to shoot even-par 72s and earn a share of the first-day lead at the Class 4 state tournament at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club. Battle High School golfer Noah Anderson also shot even par.

The tournament will conclude with another round Tuesday.

“I love the rain. I always play so well in the rain,” said Maguire, who tied for second at last year’s state meet. “It causes me to slow down and think about every shot instead of rushing to hit the next one.”

Maguire needed only 26 putts to complete his round, and Parrott required only 25. A week after he settled for a fourth-place finish at the Class 4, Sectional 4 tournament, Parrott said he successfully calmed his nerves for the state meet.

“Last week, we had great conditions, and I got too greedy with some shots,” he said. “Today, I just went with what I was given. I even took an unplayable on my 14th hole, and I was able to get up and down. That gave me some momentum.”

David Dobbler of Liberty, Gavin McDonald of Lee’s Summit North and James O’Connor of Lee’s Summit West are part of a five-way tie for sixth place after carding 76s. Rockhurst golfers Rob Enright and Aaron Lang are 11th and 12th, respectively.

Rockhurst is tied for third in the team race, compiling a first-day total of 322, 8 strokes behind first-day leader Glendale. Liberty North is in eighth with a team score of 338, led by Caleb Davis, who sits in 21st place.

In Missouri Class 3, Pembroke Hill is in second place in its attempt to win a third straight team championship. The Raiders shot 316 at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield and trail Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School by 7 strokes.

William Esrey, Charlie Hamilton and Jack Mitchell carded 77s for Pembroke Hill, finishing the day tied for seventh place. Esrey was the Raiders’ top finisher last spring, when he placed fifth.

Pembroke Hill came from behind last season to win the team trophy.

“We like our chances a lot coming back tomorrow,” Esrey said. “I don’t think any of us felt like we played as well as we would’ve liked. I think if given the chance to play tomorrow, which I know could be questionable with the weather, we still like our chances.”

In Missouri Class 2, Barstow’s Tripp Walsworth was the top local performer Monday, shooting an 82 at Sedalia Country Club, and is tied for 29th.

This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Liberty’s Sam Parrott and Lee’s Summit West's Kerry Maguire lead Missouri Class 4 state golf meet."