Senior golfer makes state for 4th straight year

Muldrow Lady Bulldogs senior golfer Claire Tabor is indeed in rarified air as she was just one of few athletes to have accomplished a four-peat when it comes to being a state qualifier.

Tabor was the fourth-place medalist at Wednesday’s Class 4A Regional Tournament, which took place at Wolf Mountain Country Club just west of Poteau. She shot a 94.

“I’m pretty excited,” Tabor said. “I’ve put a lot of work into this sport these last four years, so I’m pretty excited to get to go one last time.”

Tabor’s fourth-place medalist honor did not only qualify her for next week’s Class 4A State Tournament, which will take place Monday and Tuesday at Winter Creek Golf and Country Club in Blanchard where she will be joined by Sallisaw senior Avery Haywood — who also qualified for state Wednesday at the Class 4A Regional Tournament at Pryor Creek Golf Course in Pryor. It made Tabor one of those unique athletes who can say they made it to state in all four varsity years.

“That’s very exciting,” the Muldrow senior golfer said. “It feels nice that I’ve put in so much work, and have been able to make it to state all four years.”

The ultimate goal is to become the individual state champion, but if that doesn’t happen just knowing she did her best will be good enough to satisfy the four-peat state golf qualifier.

“I don’t know what I’ll be feeling,” Tabor said. “My goal is just to go to state and play as best as I can, no matter the outcome.”

Another fate that could befall Tabor come Tuesday afternoon could be becoming an All-Stater. If Tabor is one of the top two senior finishers from the east side of the state at the Class 4A State Tournament, she will grab one of the All-State berths available, and get to play in the 2024 Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State Golf Tournament, which will happen during the early part of All-State Week during the last week of July.

“That would mean a lot,” she said. “I would love to make All-State. I’m really hoping I can do well at state so I make that happen.”

The only negative is Tabor won’t have her teammates join her. The Lady Bulldogs shot a team score of 449, which placed them fifth in the team standings, and only the top three teams qualify for state.

Also, no other Lady Bulldog golfer made state. The second-best score belonged to senior Cailey Grinstead, who shot a 112 and missed by eight shots of making the cut for state. Charity Moss shot a 114 and Zalie Isa carded a 129.

Nonetheless, Tabor is still pumped to be heading to next week’s Class 4A State Tournament.