Morgan Nute will end her high school golf career going four-for-four.
Nute shot a three-over-par 74 to finish second at the Class 2 District 1 tournament at Wolf Hollow Golf Course.
That means that Nute will now advance to the Class 2 state tournament at Bogey Creek Golf Club in Farmington on Monday and Tuesday.
“My goal was just to head to state for the fourth year,” Nute said. “I am very excited that I was able to do that. I definitely made some mistakes, but I also made four birdies today, so (there is) not too much to complain about.”
Nute will now try to better the three previous results she’s earned – fourth place as a freshman and third-place finishes after her sophomore and junior seasons.
On Monday, Nute carded the four birdies and eight pars during the round to come in just two strokes off the pace set by Maplewood-Richmond Heights junior Sara Kolar.
The senior said that the No. 9, 117-yard, par-3 – which was her 18th hole of the day, having started at No. 10 – carried a big memory for her.
A long putt ended the day on a high note for her, she said.
“I would say the hole that stood out most to me today was my final hole,” Nute said. “I hit it (the tee shot) to about 30 feet, and I managed to make (the putt) in front of a little crowd, so that is always a nice feeling.”
Wright City Coach Stephen McClain said that the round offered Nute a glimpse of what’s to come next week in terms of competition for her final two rounds of high school golf.
“I thought her round was good,” McClain said. “She got to play with some of those golfers that she’ll see in state and I think that was important to do. She finished strong with an incredible putt on her last hole. It was great to see her finish off her last district round on a high note.”
Now, Nute will head off to Bogey Creek in search of some uncharted territory.
While she will seek her best finish, something else is very important to her in her last go-around in high school golf.
She wants to enjoy herself, she said.
“This year at state I just want to have a good time and play some good golf,” Nute said. “I want to try to finish better than all my previous years, so if I do that, I will be very happy.”
