In a scenario that is unique to golf, Warrenton sophomore Travis Toebben didn’t know his fate at the end of his sectional round Monday at Franklin County Country Club.

“I think he had a suspicion that he was going to qualify when he finished his round, but the wait was tough,” Warrenton Head Coach Aaron Jinkerson said. “It was over an hour and a half for him to find out if he was going to make it or not, and that wait is always the hardest part. It wasn’t like last year though where he got in on the nose, but he watched the scores get put on the board and he started to realize he was going to get through to state.”

Toebben shot an eight-over 79 to qualify for his second straight state tournament, which will be held Monday and Tuesday at Old Kinderhook Golf Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Toebben finished 81st last year in Sedalia.

“I think qualifying last year for him was a big deal because now he knows what to expect when he goes there,” Jinkerson said. “He finished in the bottom fourth last year, and I remember him saying his goal was to finish in the top half or better this year.”

Toebben’s performances as of late make that a realistic possibility.

He won the Gateway Athletic Conference North last month before finishing tied for 13th Monday, where a solid back-nine put him at one-over midway through his round.

He finished his first nine holes with four pars and two birdies.

“I think it was a fair course for sectionals,” Jinkerson said. “Last year it was Bogey Hills for district then Links at Dardenne for sectional, so we went from a hard course to an easy course. This year it was an easier course (Dardenne) and then a harder course for sectionals. And I think that separated the field pretty well. It’s not a course we see very often, but they had it set up pretty nicely. The pin positions could have been tougher.”

Toebben and Jinkerson will make the two-hour drive to Camdenton Sunday for a practice round, and the tournament begins Monday morning.

“If he can have two rounds in the mid-70s, he’s going to do better than the top half,” Jinkerson said. “It depends on how the rest of the field does, but if he plays the way he did today and the way he played at conference, he’ll be well inside the top half in my opinion.”

Three Warriors experience sectional 

Sophomore Brenden Day and seniors Ben Mertens and Brendan Schanuel joined Toebben at the sectional tournament, with Day leading the trio with a 14-over 85.

“Brenden’s average last year on nine holes was a 51, and I think he finished this year with a 43,” Jinkerson said. “He’s come a long way in less than a year and he’s going to keep working at his game to make it better. His result today was not what he wanted, but the experience will come in handy next year.”

Mertens shot a 94 and Schanuel finished at 106.

“They met my expectations every day,” Jinkerson said. “They’re very coachable kids and they’re fun to be around. I wish I had the opportunity to be around them for four years, but the two years I had with them were enjoyable and I’m glad they got to experience a sectional tournament.”