Warrenton freshman Travis Toebben shot an 8-over 78 at Monday’s Class 3 sectional at The Links at Dardenne to advance to the state tournament Monday and Tuesday at the Sedalia Country Club.

After battling harsh winds and cold temperatures the week prior at Bogey Hills Country Club, Toebben improved his score by 11 strokes on a calm day in O’Fallon.

The freshman made the cut with no strokes to spare.

“While he was waiting for all the scores to be tallied, he was really anxious, but once his name was officially called, he was pretty pumped up,” Warrenton Head Coach Aaron Jinkerson said. “I really didn’t think Travis had an idea what he needed to shoot to qualify for state, I just know he was determined to best his score he shot during districts.”

After finishing with bogeys on his first two holes, Toebben found pars on five of his next seven holes on the front nine.

The double-bogey on hole No. 8 was his only rough hole on the day.

“Avoiding a ‘blow-up hole,’ as the guys called it this year, is always important,” Jinkerson said. “Pars and bogeys will always make your day easier in terms of advancing to the next stage.”

While the calm weather likely aided players’ scores Monday, the links-style course also seemed to help.

The flat terrain made it easier to find the fairways and avoid hazards.

“Travis commented a few times on how he liked that the course basically was in front of you,” Jinkerson said, “and there wasn’t really any big surprises like dog-legs or many water hazards.”

Sitting at 8-over late in his round, Toebben picked up pars on his final two holes and finished two strokes ahead of the next competitor, St. Dominic’s Cory Free.

Toebben will begin the final two rounds of the season Monday morning in Sedalia.

“I really want Travis to focus on the experience he is gaining as a freshman,” Jinkerson said. “Qualifying for state this year will only help him in the future.” 

Keeven misses cut 

Warrenton senior Dillon Keeven finished 11-over Monday, falling three spots off the cut line.

“Dillon honestly had two holes which cost him a chance to advance,” Jinkerson said. “He had four birdies on the day, which was the most in his group. In any other sectional, 11-over par gets you through to state. Unfortunately for him, we probably have the toughest sectional in Class 3 and his great score wasn’t quite good enough this year.”