Team Arkansas finishes just short of capturing the 2024 Fore State Championship and the Edell Wortz trophy.
By: P.J. Boatwright Marketing / Communications Intern Justin Jones
FORT SMITH, Ark. (July 30, 2024) - The 2024 edition of the annual Fore State Championship has ended. Teams of women golfers from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma competed in three rounds of a Ryder Cup-style tournament at Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Team Oklahoma came from behind on the final day and beat Arkansas in a final-hole playoff. However, days one and two saw Arkansas leading after the foursome and four-ball portions of play.
Day one:
Round one of the Fore State Championship consisted of two rounds. The first round pinned the combinations of the four teams against each other in a four-ball format. All but two of Arkansas's pairings won in the first round to put their team on top of the leaderboard early. Two matches in round one stood out for Arkansas, Presli Webb and Maggie Huett won their match, 6 & 5, and Julie Oxendine and Melissa Holland won their match, 5 & 4.
Round One Team Standings:
- Arkansas: 4 pts
- Oklahoma: 3 pts
- Missouri: 3 pts
- Kansas: 2 pts
Round two started after round one and a short lunch on the same day. This round was in an alternating shot format. Team Arkansas had a great showing again and was able to hold their points lead as they won four of the six matches. The biggest surprise from round two was with team Oklahoma who only won two matches in the second round.
Round Two Team Standings:
- Arkansas: 8 pts
- Kansas: 6 pts
- Oklahoma: 5 pts
- Missouri: 5 pts
Day two:
The last day of the Fore State Championship consisted of one round of singles matches. Arkansas headed into the day with a two-point lead, but Oklahoma dominated, tying them at the top of the leaderboard. Team Arkansas had several opportunities going into the final holes of multiple matches but were unable to make the necessary putts that would have guaranteed them the win. With all rounds concluded, Oklahoma and Arkansas selected one player from each of the three divisions and played one final playoff hole to decide a champion. In the end, Oklahoma won the playoff and became back-to-back Fore State Champions once again.
Final Team Standings:
- Oklahoma: 15 pts
- Arkansas: 14 pts
- Missouri: 12 pts
- Kansas: 10 pts
Congratulations to Team Oklahoma on their win and an incredible two-day stretch of golf. Thank you to Teams Kansas and Missouri for traveling to the great state of Arkansas and for sharing your love of the game with us. Thank you to Hardscrabble Country Club, PGA Pro Jon Burton, and the entire HCC staff for hosting and doing an incredible job. We also would like to thank our sponsors, Advanced Physical Therapy, The Ellison Group, and Chuck Fawcett Realty. We can not wait for the 2025 Fore State Cup! See you in Missouri!
