The Putt That Punched My Ticket: My Journey to the 2017 Missouri State Golf Championship by

Keegan Glade

Some moments in sports define a season, a career, or even a lifetime For me, that moment came in 2017, standing over a crucial putt with my shot at the Missouri State Golf Championship on the line. The journey to get to that point had been anything but easy, filled with long hours of practice, frustrating rounds, and the ever-present challenge of staying mentally tough. But on that day, at that moment, everything came down to a single stroke, as explained by Keegan Glade

Golf had always been a passion of mine, but making it to state had been a goal that felt just out of reach in previous seasons I had put countless hours on the range, refining my swing, sharpening my short game, and learning to stay composed under pressure Every tournament leading up to the qualifier was a lesson in resilience, and by the time the big day arrived, I felt ready

The morning of the qualifier was crisp, the kind of perfect golf weather that felt like a good omen Still, the nerves were there The competition was tough, and I knew that every shot mattered. My opening holes were steady nothing spectacular, but I kept mistakes to a minimum A birdie on the 7th hole gave me momentum, and I carried that confidence into the back nine, where the real test awaited

As I stepped onto the 18th fairway, I knew the leaderboard was tight. A bogey could knock me out of contention I took my time with my approach shot, striking the ball cleanly and watching it land safely on the green. It all came down to one final putt about 12 feet, slightly downhill, with a tricky break to the left.

I took a deep breath, steadied my hands, and confidently rolled the putt. Time seemed to slow as the ball traced the break, curled toward the cup, and dropped in Relief, joy, and disbelief all hit me at once I had done it I had qualified for the Missouri State Golf Championship

Competing at state was everything I had hoped it would be a challenge, an honor, and an unforgettable experience I played alongside some of the best golfers in Missouri, pushing myself to perform at the highest level. While I didn’t win it all, the journey to get there taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, pressure, and what it takes to succeed Looking back, that final putt wasn’t just about qualifying it was about proving to myself that I belonged.