By Malcolm Butler
To say Cedar Creek’s golf team were underdogs entering the district championships would be a fair and accurate statement according to head coach Gene Vandenlangenberg.
After all, defending state champion Ouachita Christian and state runner-up Quitman were both among a 9-team field that competed in Tuesday’s championships at Frenchman’s Bend in Monroe.
The Cougars combined for a team score of 319 to narrowly defeat OCS (323) and Quitman (327) and capture the Division IV District I crown.
“We have a good team and I am proud of our kids,” said Vandenlangenberg, who has been coaching the Cougars for the past eight years. “But to wake up (Tuesday morning) and think we were going to win it, well that’s a big expectation.”
Jed Stephens led the Cougars with a 78 followed by Triston Floyd (79), Gray Worthey (80), Alex Roebuck (82) and Parker Bush (89).
“We have been waiting on that one day where all five of our guys shoot what they are capable of shooting,” said Vandenlangenberg. “And today was that day. All five of our players shot a great score. They put it together. These guys earned it. Our entire team played their best.”
Worthey agreed.
“All year long we could see our potential, but we could never collectively shoot what we were capable of shooting as a team,” said Worthey. “One or two of us would play good, and then the other two wouldn’t. Today we all played how we knew we could play, and that’s what brought us home the title.
“Coach Van has also done a great job encouraging us and providing us with what we need to succeed.”
The final standings included Creek (319), OCS (323), Quitman (327), St. Frederick (379), Weston (385), Glenbrook (391), Castor (407), River Oaks (433) and Saline (506).
Vandenlangenberg said he believes this is the program’s first district crown since 2013.
The Cougars will next compete at Regionals Monday in Alexandria.
