From Sean P. Murphy

The fact that Chase Smith is in the 12th grade bodes well for him come Monday morning.

The last two even grades he ended the golf season hoisting a state championship trophy. In odd years – ninth and 11th grades – he’s finished second.

He’ll conclude his phenomenal high school golf career at Clear Creek Golf Course in Bovina, the Flashes home course.

&#8220I’m not too sure about the competition this year,” Smith said. &#8220I don’t really know who is out there.”

Smith, the son of Clear Creek and former Vicksburg Country Club golf pro Kent Smith, has been playing golf as long as he can remember. He’s traversed the Southeast, and elsewhere, honing his golf skills and regional and national tournaments.

He joined the Flashes golf squad in seventh grade and it only took him two seasons to win his first state title. The second came two years later at Vicksburg Country Club, St. Al’s then-home course.

He again finished second last season and came back this year to lead the team to a near-40 stroke division championship.

&#8220Clear Creek is not tougher than the country club, but it is a more professional course with more bunkers and the rough is higher,” Smith said. &#8220It made my game better coming over here.”

Smith, who has played at and under par all season long, is now hitting 300-plus yard drives and said his short game has shown the biggest improvements.

He’ll take his big drive against six other schools, but only one that shot near what St. Al did in the division tournament. Mercy Cross shot a 322, the same as the Flashes, in its division tournament.

The other five schools – Thrasher, Cathedral, West Union, Hamilton and Puckett – have shot 20 to 50 strokes behind Mercy Cross and St. Al. The tournament begins Monday at 9 a.m. The teams will play 18 holes, then come back Tuesday to play 18 more. A team and individual state champion will be crowned.