By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph Central senior and golf standout Jackson "Jax" Patterson is continuing his playing career at the next level in his home city.
Patterson put pen to paper Friday, signing his national letter of intent to play golf at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, fulfilling a goal he had set out to achieve since he entered high school.
"I came into high school, and that's all I wanted to do," Patterson told reporters. "Playing golf at the next level."
Patterson had a breakout season his junior year in 2023, finishing fifth in districts and earning a spot in the Class 5 state meet at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bolivar last May.
Patterson also placed second in the Suburban Red Conference Championship meet played at Moila Country Club in St. Joseph - also last May.
"I played well, so that was fun," Patterson said of last season. "Seeing my name in the top five (on the leaderboard) was pretty cool, too."
Patterson joins a Missouri Western roster that's loaded with talent and local flavor. St. Joseph native and Bishop LeBlond alum Jeffrey Johnston is a junior on the team.
LeBlond alum Sam Schoeberl is a freshman for the Griffons. LeBlond seniors Tim and Pat Johnston and Davis Jungbluth will join Patterson at Western in this recruiting class.
"I already have a lot of friends over at Missouri Western," Patterson said. "I'm going to fit in really well. I know a lot of guys on the team as well. So, it's going to be fun."
Daniel Love, a Central alum, played his first two years of college golf at Missouri Western as well.
Another former Central golfer, Jake Mikesch, played his college golf for the Griffons, too. He's now an assistant coach on Matt Thrasher's staff.
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