The Mendenhall Tigers Golf Team recently won the District Tournament and will be competing for a state championship on May 2. The team is coached by Cyril Fisher, who played golf collegiately for Tougaloo College.
During the district tournament Stefan Smith shot 84 to tie for the lowest score of the tournament. The Tigers had a solid outing as a team. Brett Olney (86), Alex Seghini (89), Ethan Seghini (93), and Bradley Piner (98) all posted respectable scores. The tournament was held at Okatoma Golf Course in Collins. The team won district with a score of 352, which was good enough to be invited to state.
The team has played well throughout the season. They also have first place finishes in the Puckett Invitational and Terry Invitational. This is impressive because the team is comprised of mostly first year players.
Stefan Smith, who shot the lowest in the district tournament, said he just began playing this year. Since taking up golf he now practices at least four times a week after school. He said, “I’m a short guy so I have to choke up. The key to a low score is playing your fade well.”
Brett Olney is the most experienced golfer on the team. He has played golf off and on while growing up. Olney said he recently started back playing intensely last year. The strongest aspect of his game is his putting.
Alex Seghini is another first year player who started in December, and practice has led to his game improving rapidly.
Ethan Seghini is also a first year player. He laughed and said, “The main thing I’ve done is just try not to break 100.”
Steven Amman serves as the team’s alternate.
Bradley Parker, a first year player, credited Coach Fisher with helping the team improve overall. He said, “Coach has helped us out a whole lot.” Fisher drills proper technique into the team during every practice.
The state tournament will be held at Elm Lake in Columbus, Miss., on May 2-3.The team agreed that Purvis and Columbus High School would be the teams to beat in the tournament.
The tournament is fast approaching and the team is excited. They laughed and said as long as they follow Fisher’s philosophy they will be fine--which is hit your fairways; get on the green, and two putts.
