BOYS GOLF: Williams dominates field, Claremore qualifies for state at 5A regional

Jack Williams left no doubt who the best player on the course was.

The Claremore standout delivered a masterclass Monday at Oak Hills Golf & Country Club, capturing the Class 5A regional title by 7 strokes to lead the Zebras to a third-place team finish and a return trip to the state tournament.

Claremore posted a 637 to finish third out of 13 teams, comfortably inside the top six needed to qualify for state. Carl Albert won the team title with a 625. The Zebras will now head to Shangri-La Golf Club in Afton on May 11-12 looking to defend their state championship from last season.

Williams was in complete control from start to finish, finishing at 139 to claim medalist honors, and his opening round set the tone.

After a steady front nine that included 8 pars and a lone bogey on No. 7, Williams turned it on down the stretch. He birdied No. 9 to make the turn at even par, then added birdies on Holes 13 and 16 before delivering an eagle on the par-5 18th to close with a 3-under 33 on the back nine.

He carried that momentum into Round 2.

Williams went out in 35, highlighted by birdies on Nos. 4, 7 and 8, then stayed steady on the back with another birdie on No. 10. From there, he closed with 8-straight pars, finishing with a 70 and sealing a dominant victory.

Tate Dunlap added a strong showing for the Zebras, finishing sixth overall.

He birdied Nos. 2 and 5 early, then overcame a double bogey on No. 6 with a highlight-reel eagle on the par-5 eighth hole to go out in 35. On the back nine, he added a birdie on No. 11 but mixed in a few bogeys to finish with a 38.

Round 2 proved more challenging.

Dunlap battled through a tough front nine that included a double bogey on No. 6, going out in 42. He responded on the back with birdies on Nos. 11 and 16, but additional doubles on 10 and 15 kept him from climbing higher on the leaderboard as he closed with a 39.

Claremore’s depth helped secure the state berth, with Kavan Smith finishing 23rd [170], Tristan Fuller placing 29th [174] and Cooper Mason adding a 188.

The Zebras are now in position to chase another state title.