Published: May 04, 2008 01:23 am         

Area golfers prepare for state tournament

Playing in the state high school golf tournament on Monday won’t be a new experience for Amber Henderson of Leonard or Tera Wendland from Bland.

But it will be for the Lone Oak boys and Bland girls teams that will be appearing at the University Interscholastic League state tournament for the first time in school history, according to their respective coaches.

Henderson and Wendland will both be making their third appearances at state.

Henderson, who’s competing as a medalist at the Class 2A state tournament on the Roy Kizer Golf Course, finished in a tie for 31st as a freshman and was ninth last year as a junior. Henderson has signed to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

“I’m excited to be going back,” Henderson told her golf coach Greg Connelly. “I’m not finished yet.”

Henderson earned her trip by firing rounds of 79 and 88 at the Region II-2A tournament in Stephenville.

Wendland will be competing for the third time at the Class A state girls tournament beginning Monday at the Morris Williams Golf Course. The Bland senior, who tied for 19th place as a sophomore, finished ninth last year at state after shooting rounds of 84 and 88.

Wendland shot rounds of 100 and 85 to lead the Bland Lady Tigers to a second place finish at the Region III-A tournament in Nacogdoches.

“I’m excited to go with the team,” said Wendland.

Wendland listed several mentors she says have helped her with her golf game including her father, Kevin Wendland, plus pros Mel Fox and Charles Ranly of Webb Hill Country Club and Webb Hill regular Joe Tchir.

“My senior year in golf has been the best yet,” she said. “I’ve had a blast!”

Her sister Kelady Wendland will be joining her at state along with Morgan McNatt, Emily Doonan, Brittany Hightower and alternate Katie Hightower. Brittany and Katie are also sisters.

“They’re a great group of girls,” said Rick Tidwell, who coaches Bland along with coach Brian Garner. “Fun to coach.”

Lone Oak has sent individual golfers to state in the past but this will be a first for the team, according to coach Randy Jackson. The Buffaloes will be competing in the 2A boys tournament at the Roy Kizer Golf Course.

“You think about it, there’s not a whole lot of kids that get to compete at state in anything,” said Jackson. “It’s a rare opportunity.”

Lone Oak’s team of Tyler Duffey, Nathan McKinney, Josh Tignor, Ty Stogsdill and Curtis Sherer qualified for state after finishing second at the Region II-2A tournament in Stephenville. Jared Carson of Lone Oak has also qualified as an alternate.

The 36-hole state tournaments will conclude on Tuesday.