Logan Mitchell finished his second year in school and has played in two state tournaments.

The Paris sophomore competed in the Class 1 tournament on May 19-20 at Meadow Lake Acres in New Bloomfield. Mitchell finished in a tie for 54th after shooting a 181, or 37-over par.

Mitchell had better scores and a higher placing than his state debut last year at Twin Hills in Joplin, where he tied for 76th after shooting a 196 — with day scores of 95 and 101. Head coach Jeremy Skinner said he definitely improved his scores and takes whatever opportunity he has to play, even if it’s at home.

“He has a simulator at home,” Skinner said. “Even during the winter time, he can hit some golf balls. His dad has a simulator out on their shed. He’ll go home after school and hit some golf balls with his buddies or by himself.”

Mitchell bulked up his skills, but Skinner said he also did in the literal sense. The football, basketball and track athlete grew about six inches and became stronger, so he is hitting the ball further.

Even though Mitchell was better this year, Skinner said he still had to make adjustments after the first day. He said Paris did play a tournament on the New Bloomfield course this season, but Mitchell tried to “guide the ball into the fairway.”

“He lost it off to the right,” Skinner said. “There is thick and tall rough there, the fairways are really narrow and there are a lot of trees on the side. He struggled out of the fairway the first day.”

Mitchell started the second day well with a par on his first hole, birdie on his second hole and bogey on his third and fourth holes. Through his first seven holes, Skinner said Mitchell was one-over par for the day. He finished the front nine with a 41, or five-over par.

Skinner said Mitchell’s scores this time at New Bloomfield were just north of the 80s, which is the range he fell into in the earlier tournament this season and during the practice round on the Sunday before. 

“He struggled with his driver a little bit at state,” Mitchell said. “That was not the course where you wanted to be fighting your driver.”

Mitchell had a successful season for Paris, but Skinner said it stood out even more. He set the single-season birdies record that stood since 2008-09, despite having two tournaments rained out. 

Skinner said he thinks Mitchell has a good shot at breaking the record again and taking that important next step at state.

“I expect next year that he’ll get stronger and better with more confidence,” Skinner said. “He’ll compete and shoot for another birdie record and I also think he’ll be competing for an all-state spot.”