With a tie for first place at Frenchman’s Bend in Monroe on March 29th and a second-place finish on the rugged Black Bear in Delhi on April 4th, Eli Walker of Quitman High continued his impressive showings in the Front Nine Tour this season.
Walker, who has now played in eight tournaments to date, winning four and finishing in second in three more, birdied the final hole at Frenchman’s Bend to forge a three-way tie for first with Cole Masters of West Monroe High School and Caden Lester of Ouachita Christian.
After taming the course considered one of the toughest in the state with an even par front nine to take the lead into the turn, Black Bear showed it’s fangs on the back side. Walker parred the first three holes on the second nine but despite rallying with three birdies over the final six holes, two bogeys and a double bogey down the stretch left him one stroke behind winner Silas Lovett of Ouachita Christian.
Teammate Noah Leach also had a great day at Frenchman’s Bend. Shooting a career best, two over par round of 38. Leach birdied the final two holes to come in fourth overall, giving Quitman High their best team finish of the year with two players in the top four.
Tayt Culpepper, who was trying to complete the nearly impossible task of playing baseball games and competing in the golf tournament during the same week, came in an admirable 13th place.
In junior varsity action at Frenchman’s Bend, Ajay Tew of Jonesboro-Hodge fired a season-best, five over par round of 41 to tie for the first place with Jackson Hill of West Monroe High School. Richard Tew of JHHS also had a good showing, coming in 12th place.
