10/21/2009

While the Missouri Class 2 state golf tournament was enjoying a perfect autumn day outside Springfield, the Class 1 tournament was not as fortunate.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms moved into the Sedalia area Tuesday morning and forced the cancellation of the second round of the Class 1 girls championships.

After nearly an hour delay at the start of the day, the first groups began play. But they were only a couple holes into their round when lightning struck again and forced another weather interruption. Plans were made for a shotgun start to get the round completed, but a third storm moved in.

MSHSAA recognized that play could not be completed before dark after the third delay and called the tournament, leaving Monday's first round as the final scores for the tournament.

Barat Academy junior Haelena Schwemmer had a 78 and a 2-stroke lead after the first round and was awarded the first-place medal.

Savannah won the team title with 363. Westminster had a 374 and was sitting in a tie for second with Pembroke Hill, but the Wildcats were competing without a fifth golfer, so Pembroke Hill claimed second place and Westminster third.

"That's why we wanted to play real bad today," Westminster coach Steve Bradley said. "If you told us beforehand we were going to be top four, we would've been happy. But after the first day, we wanted a chance to show our best, and it didn't happen."

Villa Duchesne was in fifth place with a 380, just 1 stroke out of fourth place and a state plaque after the first round. Like everyone else, the Saints did not get an opportunity to make up any ground.

"When I got up at 6, I heard a rumble and thought someone was rolling luggage down the hall," Villa coach Linda Potter said. "And when I looked out at the parking lot, I couldn't believe it. We're all disappointed, but we had an absolutely fabulous season."