HERRERA UNDER PAR AGAIN, BEARCATS A STROKE BETTER THAN WALDRON

If the first week of the golf season is of any indication, Booneville and Waldron are in for a yearlong battle.

After both shot a team score of 114 in the season opener on the Bearcats’ home course of Cherokee Creek Country Club on Monday, the Bearcats edged the Bulldogs by a single stroke – 116 to 117 – at the Waldron Country Club on Wednesday.

If the first week of the golf season is of any indication, Brooks Herrera (pictured preparing to hit an approach shot on Monday) is on his game.

After shooting a 1-under par 35 in Booneville Monday and sharing the individual low round score, he duplicated that with a 1-under 35 in Waldron to win the overall title.

To complete the team score the Bearcats had freshman Jace Washburn shoot a 40 and junior Brett Welling card a round of 41.

Also on the course for the Bearcats were Noah Harrel and Peyton Tatum, both shooting a 50, as well as Macolen Tillery and Colt Cobb.

The Bearcats teed off at 1 p.m. with the first flight of the day in the tournament that featured eight teams, including Waldron’s JV.

Placing third as a team, 16 shots behind the Bearcats was Mena at 132 with the Waldron JV at 136, 19 shots back.

Charleston’s team score was 144, Elkins shot a 151, Dardanelle a 157, and Lincoln a 160.

The Lady Cats placed third in their division with Leigh Swint leading the way with a 49. Joleigh Tate shot a 51, and Brooke Turner shot a 58.

Also on the course for the Lady Cats was Hayley Lunsford.

The Lady Cats total of 158 was just one stroke behind second place Mansfield's 157. Charleston won the girls division with a 142 total.

Placing fourth and fifth were Dardanelle (181) and Lincoln (190).