3 varsity returners hope to lead squad to state

By Jared Lankford monettsports@gmail.com

With three returning varsity golfers, Monett looks to leads the Big 8 field in an already underway 2025 season.

“The thing that will set this team apart from most teams around here is that all five of our varsity golfers will be capable of scoring in the 70s,” said Brian Cox, Monett golf coach. “Some teams never have that, but the Monett community is blessed with a good golf course, and the people who run the course are great to the kids. which encourages them to get out there and play. I am truly thankful for Windmill Ridge and their employees. 

“Also, probably the most obvious characteristic of this team that will set us apart from everyone else is that we have one of the best golfers in the state in Jaxon Bailey.”

Bailey, a senior; August Black, a junior; and Bryce Hoyt, a sophomore, will anchor a Cubs team with high expectations.

“Jaxon has been the best high school golfer in our area since his freshman year, and he just keeps getting better,” Cox said. “He has won right at half of the high school tournaments he has played in since his freshman year. That just doesn’t happen in golf. If he doesn’t win, he at least finishes in the top 2 or 3 almost always. 

“I’m not sure when I have seen a high school athlete around here dominate his sport all four years like Jaxon has the chance to do in golf. His leadership, work ethic and knowledge of golf has been an integral part of our program since he was a freshman. This season should be a special one for Jaxon.”

Black also drew high praise from his coach.

“August has worked very hard in the offseason, as well, and has made some great improvements in his game,” Cox said. “I have been impressed at how well he has been striking the ball. He’s a strong, athletic kid who absolutely crushes the golf ball. I look for August to have a breakout year this year as a junior. He and Jaxon together could be one of the best 1-2 duos in the state. 

“Bryce got a lot of good tournament experience his freshman year. He just came off basketball. so once he gets a couple weeks of practice in, I expect his game to be firing on all cylinders. Bryce is a smart, athletic kid who makes good decisions during his round. He has a bright future in golf.”

Cox said the team’s number one goal this year is to get better at every tournament. He will have a deep roster to help develop, including: Joshua Hoyt, Matthew Batson, and William Goodman, seniors; Parker Doss and Perry Azleton, juniors; Camden Ellis and Cooper Dierker, sophomores; and Brady Rhea and Carson Waltrip, freshmen.

“We have a couple of newcomers who I think will make a great impact on our team,” Cox said. “Brady brings some good golf experience to our team. He is another basketball player who, once he gets a couple weeks of regular play in, should be pretty solid. Brady has played in some summer events the past couple years which will help him tremendously as a freshman. He has a good, consistent golf swing and a good, level head. I expect him to develop into a heck of a good golfer this season. 

“Parker is one of my favorite stories so far this year. He just picked up golf last summer. Pretty much every time I was at the golf course since then, Parker was out there working on getting better. I preach to our kids every day about how important it is in golf to play a lot. It may be discouraging or aggravating at times, but if you want to become a good golfer you need to play a lot. We’ve had some amazing examples the past few years of both girls and boys coming to the program not being able to shoot under 100, but after working hard and playing every chance they got, they became state tournament qualifying golfers.”

Parker has done just that. On the first Friday of practice, he shot 2 over par on the back 9 with a 40-mile-per-hour wind.

“That is really an incredible feat for a kid, or anyone, who has only played half a year,” Cox said. “This season will have ups and downs for Parker, but with his good attitude he will be able to handle the pressure just fine. I love watching his hard work pay off.”

Cox believes the team’s schedule will prepare them for postseason work.

“We will host the Big 8 JV tournament at Windmill Ridge and a varsity tournament on May 1,” Cox said. “I would love to see some fans come out and watch the boys in either of these tournaments. Spectators can follow the kids on foot or even rent a golf cart and follow. Our schedule is very tough. Every tournament we face very good class 4 and class 5 schools.”

The Cubs’ postseason will also look different this year, as Monett has moved from Class 3 to Class 4.

“We are in with teams like Helias, Camdenton, Jeff City and a lot of the Springfield schools,” Cox said. “Carl Junction is also in it, and they were really really good last year. I don’t know where our district will be held quite yet. I know we will be looking at lots of scores from those teams in the next month trying to figure out what we are looking at competition-wise. I still really like our chances. 

“State for Class 4 will be held at Silo Ridge in Bolivar, which we actually know a little more about than Twin Hills in Joplin, which is the Class 3 site. We have been in the best Class 3 district in the state for the past few years and are definitely up to the challenge.”

Aiding in being up to that challenge are some new tournaments, including one out of state.

“This year, we are playing a tournament in Oklahoma which is 36 holes in one day,” Cox said. “I like to give the boys a chance to play in challenging tournaments like this to push them on the course and help them grow as players.”

Cox also says Monett is making use of new additions to its practice regimen.

“I want to thank Brett Bailey for volunteering as a coach the past few years,” Cox said. “Brett is out there every day and helps out a ton. I tell the kids that if they aren’t learning something from Coach Bailey every day they are wasting a golden opportunity. The man knows more about golf than anyone I know. 

“I also want to thank the school and the athletic booster club for providing our boys and girls golfers two simulators and hitting bays so we can work on the kids swing throughout the year. Since Monett does not have a driving range this indoor practice facility has helped us tremendously.”