Mead golfer Booth Hayes (‘26) shot an astounding 71 on Sept. 21 at the CHSAA 4A Region 3 golf tournament. Placing third overall and punching his ticket to the state tournament, Hayes remains the only golfer in program history to accomplish this feat in back to back years.

Head coach Micheal Ward said that Booth’s hard work is evident and his growth has been immense the last two years. 

“Credit goes to him for putting the work in on his own”, Coach Ward said. 

He also said he is excited to have a golfer as successful as Booth.

Going into the tournament, and even the season, Booth had his eyes set on making it to the state tournament. He said that his game plan going into Thursday’s play was to play as well as he possibly could. 

Starting the day, Hayes was pretty nervous but calmed down after his first tee shot.

After being just two shots under par through his first nine holes, Hayes remained focused on keeping a level head and kept doing what he was doing. 

He said he was set on “not overthinking the small things, getting to the end of the round, and just playing.”

Holding a podium spot for a majority of the tournament is something only the best athletes are capable of. Especially in the game of golf – things change quickly, and it can be easy for golfers to get ahead of themselves or let one rough hole affect the rest of their game.

After making his last putt of the round, Hayes said he was relieved knowing that he played the best he could and played one of the best rounds of his life.

“As soon as I sank it, my immediate reaction was to take a breath, look around, and enjoy the moment,” Hayes said.

Walking off the green on his 18th hole, Coach Ward congratulated Booth and told him he was proud of him. 

It was a moment that neither one of them will forget.

Download the CHSAA golf app here to follow Booth at the CHSAA 4A State Tournament on Oct. 2 at when he tees off 10:40 a.m.