Effingham's Callaway Smith Headed to State

MATTOON -- Although the Effingham High School boys golf team didn't advance to the Class 2A State Golf Meet, Callaway Smith did.

The Hearts finished 11th in the Class 2A Mattoon Sectional Tuesday with a team total of 370. Winning was Alton Marquette with 310 followed by Benton 332, Mattoon 345, Metropolis Massac County 347, Charleston 348,  Columbia 350, Salem 356, Breese Mater Dei 356, Herrin 357, Highland 360, Effingham 370 and Troy Triad 381.

Medalist was Alton Marquette's Michael Holtz with a 72.

Smith tallied a 38-39 -- 77 to advance as an individual along with Brock Burnham (Metropolis), Dylan Davidson (Belleville Althoff), Preston Smith (Charleston), Caleb Urshan (Centralia), Drew Sobol (Wood River-East Alton), Alex Gorman (Mascoutah), Josh Green (Herrin), Garrett Jenkins (Harrisburg) and Grant Goebel (Breese Mater Dei).

Others competing for the Hearts were Ryan Sandifer 47-49 -- 96, Matt Linders 45-52 -- 97, Jacob Sigg 48-52 -- 100, Tate NIebrugge 52-51 -- 103 and Aiden Beck 52-56 -- 108.

"Callaway tied for fifth overall and will be advancing to state," said EHS Coach Jeff Schafer. "Today backs up what I have said about Callaway all along. He gets it. After starting out with a triple bogey, he realized it is just one of the 18 holes that were taking place today. He didn't let it bother him and just grinded away.

"We had a very good year to reach this point. It was unexpected but a pleasant surprise. We continued to improve. I will miss Matt Linders as he has played a lot these past few years and look forward to Callaway representing our school and himself this weekend."

Teams advancing were Alton Marquette, Benton and Mattoon.

The teams and individuals advancing will head to the State Meet scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Normal Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University.