On Friday, October 8, junior Donald Barnett competed at day one of the Illinois High School Association 2A state golf tournament. The tournament was held at Weibring Golf Club in Normal, IL. Barnett shot an 80 and missed the cut to advance to day two by one stroke.
“I feel like I played well, I just couldn’t get any putts to fall,” Barnett said.
Barnett was playing very well, but the weakest area of his game was his putting. Ultimately it was the reason he unfortunately did not make it on to day two. Anybody that has played golf knows that they will inevitably have a day like Barnett did, where they are playing good, but the score does not reflect how they played, and that is what makes golf a special sport.
Although he didn’t make it to day two, Barnett was very happy that he made it to state, and was happy to compete at the highest level of high school golf. Barnett had a very good first experience at the state tournament, and was happy with the course, and people working the tournament.
“The state experience was good, the directors of the tournament did a good job organizing everything and the course was in great shape,” Barnett said.
The overall state experience is such a different feel from just another high school tournament or match, there is much more pressure, and you just have to try and deal with that pressure. Tournaments are always different from matches, mainly because you play with people from teams not in your conference, but state is on a whole other level. All of the players there are there for a reason, and are there to play well. Next season Barnett has goals for himself and the team.
“My goals for next season is to do everything the team and I did this year but better,” Barnett said.
Barnett is hoping to be right back where he ended this season, but also hopes for the team to do better. Barnett is already looking forward to next August when the season starts, and is hungry for even more.
