By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Qualifying for state golf almost feels routine at this point for St. Joseph Central senior Ava Gaddie and junior Ali Perry. The two have now qualified for state for a third straight season.
It's getting through districts, they say, that doesn't feel quite as routine.
"In my mind, districts is the most nerve wracking day for me," Gaddie says. "Now, (assistant coach Chip Brock) tells us to just go out and just have fun."
Perry and Gaddie got through districts quite well this time around. Perry finished sixth with a +7 (79), while Gaddie finished 13th with a +15 (87) at Paradise Pointe in Smithville.
"I think we expected to see them both advance this year again," Central head coach Joy Vandel said. "We got that confirmation with their scores. When it came in, it was just kind of extra exciting to seal the deal with that."
Two district medalists is just one in a list of impressive achievements for Central girls' golf this fall. The Indians won the Greater KC Suburban Conference meet on Oct. 3 in Smithville, with Perry finishing first and Gaddie finishing second at conference respectively.
The Indians took third at the Platte County Invitational to open the season, with Perry and Gaddie both finishing in the top six.
The Indians finished second in their own Central Invitational and Perry finished fourth in a field of elite talent in the Oak Park Invitational - a day where temperatures hit 106 degrees.
With still one more high school season to go, Perry has had a prolific career at Central so far. She medaled 23rd as a freshman at state in 2020 and then tied for 13th as a sophomore last season. A top ten finish at state and perhaps an individual championship is on her list of ambitions.
"I'm really excited, actually," Perry said of the upcoming rounds at state. "I feel really confident this year, too. Way more confident than last year. Last year I was a lot more nervous because, I don't know. I had some struggles with my short game. But, over the summer I fixed that and I can hit the ball further now and it's more consistent."
Gaddie finished 55th at state in 2020 and then 62nd in 2021. But with a top 15 finish at districts just last week, she goes into her final career varsity meet relaxed and energized.
"Really looking forward to just going out and having fun," she said. "Especially with my senior year, just hope to have a good last tournament and have a good time."
Gaddie and Perry will compete at the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club Monday in Joplin with the rest of the field in Class 4. Perry will be in the second flight to tee off on Monday morning at 8:39. Gaddie will go at 9:24. Both will tee off from the 10th hole to begin.
Assistant coach Chip Brock, who's helped off and on with boys' and girls' golf at Central since 1969, says the course at Joplin isn't all that different from their home course Moila Country Club - relatively small and tight with many chances for low scoring.
"I think the kids will like it," Brock said. "There's a lot of birdie opportunities there. Once they get the hang of it, I think they'll do just fine there."
It's been a fun ride in the last three seasons for both Gaddie and Perry. While Gaddie does say goodbye after this year, the future looks bright for Perry and the entire Central golf program.
"We'll try do our best," Brock said. "I hope they can improve on what they did a year ago and hopefully they just go out and have a good time."
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