KHS boys, girls golfers improving, coach says
Boys finish seventh in 18-team field at Longview Invitational on Monday
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

The Kilgore High School golf teams - boys and girls - played in the Longview Invitational at Pinecrest Country Club, on Monday.

The KHS boys finished eighth in an 18- team field. Spring Hill won the tournament with a 299. Tyler Lee was second with a 302, and Pine Tree third, a 305. Kilgore's team finished with a 337.

"We didn't play bad, but we didn't play good," coach Jimmy Williams said. "We have been really competitive with the teams we will face in district (12-4A)."

In fact, Kilgore finished ahead of Hallsville in the Longview tournament.

Chance Fitch was the low man for KHS with an 83. Cameron Clower shot an 84, and Jacob Patterson and Zack Mays each shot an 85. Zach Zimmerman had a 100.

"Chance has been in the 70's this spring and struggled some yesterday," Williams said, "but has been playing solid. ...Cameron is just a mistake or two away from posting a low number. Jacob has been really constant - in the low 80's - and he is capable of going lower. Zack Mays has struggled and we think he will get back on track. He averaged in the 70's last year but has come out of the gate slowly. Zach Zimmerman was coming off a career low 88 at Oakhurst, but had trouble yesterday."

The Bulldogs next play at Emerald Bay in the Brook Hill Invitational on Monday.

For the KHS girls, Courtney Hodgkins shot an 88, good enough to tie for seventh place overall.

"She's coming off foot surgery, and this was a solid outing for her," Williams said.

Shelby Elder shot a 115. "She's a first-year player who has been working hard," Williams noted. "She turned in a solid round in her second tournament ever."

Courtney Plaisance had a 117. "She's capable of shooting much better, and will bring that down," the coach said.

The girls will also play in the Brook Hill Invitational and Emerald Bay, but won't be in action until Tuesday.