February 1, 2021

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Bill Caputo said he was “honored and terrified” to be speaking Sunday night at the induction ceremony for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on behalf of the Poplar Bluff Mules golf program. Being chosen to represent the school and program was an honor, Caputo said, in front of hundreds gathered at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Bill Caputo said he was “honored and terrified” to be speaking Sunday night at the induction ceremony for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on behalf of the Poplar Bluff Mules golf program.

Being chosen to represent the school and program was an honor, Caputo said, in front of hundreds gathered at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.

“I’m terrified I’ll fail to recognize someone that’s deserving,” Caputo said.

The six-time state championship program was among the Class of 2021 that included the late Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, current Royals General Manager Dayton Moore, Mark Lamping, former president of the St. Louis Cardinals, professional angler Edwin Evers and Southeast Missouri State University basketball player Pat Colon. “We’re proud to recognize the Mules as the first boys golf program inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame,” said President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews, who read the names of 61 former and current players and coaches in attendance.

Current golf coach Billy Pyland said it shows, “just how much the community backs the program and the golfers that really care about Poplar Bluff golf.”

The Mules won the team title in 1938, ’80, ’81, ’88, ’95 and ’96 while placing second five times.

Poplar Bluff’s 20 top-four finishes at the state tournament are the most of any public school in the state and the program has produced 27 players that have earned all-state honors, including four individual champions — Craig Caringer, Brent Pennington, Tyler Hillis and Colby Robertson, who won the state tournament twice.

“It was a great night,” said Caringer, who was the 1980 medalist and helped the Mules win two team titles and a runner-up finish.

“So many people here. So many people rehashing great memories from our childhood. There’s people here I haven’t seen in 30 years.”

Poplar Bluff Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill said it speaks to the importance of the program in the community and the district.

“For everybody to drive across the state in the middle of winter, there’s a lot of pride,” he added. “A very proud moment in Poplar Bluff.”

Poplar Bluff natives E.E. “Bus” Carr, Derland Moore and Eddie Moss were inducted in 1993, 2004 and 2016, respectively, while Gene Bess was inducted in 2006 and again in 2016 among the Hall of Fame’s Legends.

The Three Rivers Raiders men’s basketball teams from 1979 and 1992 were honored in 2016.

Joe Scott was honored in 2013 as a basketball player at Gainesville High School and the University of Missouri, and in 2016 with the President’s Award.

Located in Springfield, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame features over 4,000 items of sports memorabilia and exhibits.

“It’s a huge honor for the whole community,” Poplar Bluff Athletic Director Kent Keith said. “There’s so many people that had a part in it and the great tradition that continues to be carried on.

“I’m just really pleased for, not only our former players, but our current players and the community of Poplar Bluff.”

Poplar Bluff’s golf program was inducted with 15 individuals and three other programs — the Warrensburg High School Cross Country program, the Missouri State University Sugar Bears Dance program and the University of Missouri football chain crew.

A short video during the ceremony featured Caputo, Pyland, Robertson and Dave Porter, who coached two state championship teams in the 1980s.

“It’s a special place,” Porter said in the video. “They’re very deserving of being in the Hall of Fame.

“I would just like to congratulate all the players, their families and the city of Poplar Bluff.”

Caputo, who coached two state championship teams in the 1990s, also congratulated the players and their parents.

“Parents, thank you,” Caputo said. “My goodness, all the sacrifices you made for your sons during their tenure at Poplar Bluff High School, it didn’t go unappreciated by us coaches.”

He thanked the community, saying, “it’s played an important role in developing our program and the success of it” and included the press coverage by the Daily American Republic.

Westwood Hills Country Club, its members and Ozark Ridge Municipal Golf Course were also mentioned by Caputo, who added, “without these two facilities, our program would not have existed.”

Caputo also thanked Sterling Bank, which was an associate sponsor of the event and provided 100 tickets. Along with the dinner, former players were given plaques recognizing their involvement in the program.

“It’s pretty impressive,” Caringer said. “What a great representation by the city of Poplar Bluff. Kudos to Sterling Bank for buying all the tickets, taking care of everything.

“Couldn’t be more proud of our town. Well deserved.”

Caputo said one factor in the program’s success was that players were willing to work at it.

“Simply put, if you’re not practicing today, tomorrow you’ll compete against someone that is,” Caputo said. “I’m confident that our presence here tonight is the result of that attitude.”

During his video comments, Robertson said golf is a part of growing up in Poplar Bluff.

“It goes back 70-some-odd years,” he said. “Grandpas play with grandsons. Dads play with sons. We’ve been fortunate to have a lot of golf knowledge in Poplar Bluff and I think it just gets passed along.

“That’s what you see in our teams.”

Caringer pointed to one table featuring the Godwins that featured three generations of players. Caringer said he caddied for Pete Godwin, an all-state player in 1974, and Tom Hoover, a three-time all-state player who played at LSU, learning golf etiquette from them.

Caputo mentioned Hoover’s mantra not to do anything to “embarrass yourself, your team, your parents or your school,” and that “people will remember how you acted much longer than the score you posted.”

Said Caringer, “Mr. Hoover and Steve Shock would have been the most proud people here tonight. Bar none, not even close.”

Caringer said Caputo, “hit the nail on the head” with his speech, adding, “He did a fantstic job representing the city of Poplar Bluff.”

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THROUGH THE YEARS

Poplar Bluff won its first state title in golf in the fall of 1938 when the team, coached by E.T. Peters finished four shots ahead of Kirkwood. Hillis Ponder placed second, six shots behind the individual medalist, while Ralph Striegel tied for 12th.

The Mules finished fourth the following year and again in 1959 and 1977.

Led by Craig Caringer, who won medalist honors, and Robbie Davis, who placed ninth, the Mules won the 1980 state title by 11 strokes. They defended their title the following year as Caringer and Mike Hall earned all-state honors. Dave Porter coached the Mules.

Poplar Bluff placed second in 1982, 10 shots behind Rolla, as Caringer and Bobby Godwin tied for third. The 1986 and ’87 Mules placed third with Pennington winning individual honors in ’86 by one shot.

Ben Godwin and Danny Cashman earned all-state honors to lead Poplar Bluff to the 1988 title, beating Liberty by 10 shots under coach Bruce Powers, while the 1989 Mules finished second.

Bill Caputo took over the program in 1990.

Colby Robertson won the tournament by seven strokes as a sophomore in 1994 as the Mules finished second by a stroke to St. Joseph Central.

The following year, the Mules won the team title by seven shots as Robertson placed third and Derek Rahlmann tied for fourth.

The Mules defended their title in a rain-shortened 1996 state tournament by nine strokes. Robertson won at 1-under-par and Andy McCulleum tyed for ninth.

Billy Pyland has been the Mules coach since 1996. During that time the team has qualified for the state tournament 15 times with 13 district championships and won 10 of the 18 conference titles.

Poplar Bluff finished second at state in 2005 and 2007, third in 2004 when Tyler Hillis won the tournament as a freshman, and 2012. The 2010 Mules placed fourth, losing a tiebreaker.

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__TOP 4 FINISHES AT STATE__

*tournament held one day due to weather.

2012 • THIRD: at Silo Ridge GC, Bolivar (par 72) Rockhurst 600, Blue Springs South 624, Mules 625, Francis Howell 629. 2010 • FOURTH: Sedalia CC (70) Rockhurst 616, Rock Bridge 620, DeSmet 621, Mules 621, Parkway South 622, Glendale 623 2007 • SECOND: Fremont Hills CC, Nixa (71) Glendale 615, Mules 626, Rockhurst 628, Jefferson City 638. Liberty 648. 2005 • SECOND: Silo Ridge, Bolivar (72) Rockhurst 613, Mules 615, Hickman 619, Glendale 625, Francis Howell 626. 2004 • THIRD: Rivercut Golf Course, Springfield. (72) Chaminade 600, Rockhurst 605, Mules 615, Helias 618, Francis Howell 625, Hickman 625. 1996 • FIRST: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70)* MULES 299, Rockhurst 308, St. Joseph Central 310, DeSmet, 313, Parkway West 313. 1995 • FIRST: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70) MULES 603, Parkway West 610, Holt 615, Rockhurst. 1994 • SECOND: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70) St. Joseph Central 596, MULES 597, SLUH 603, Glendale 604. 1989 • SECOND: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70) Jefferson City 585, MULES 610, Hickman 612, Holt 612. 1988 • FIRST: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70) MULES 593, Liberty 603, Hillcrest 604, Jefferson City 605. 1987 • THIRD: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70) Jefferson City 581, Lafayette 596, MULES 598, Glendale 606, Joplin 606. 1986 • THIRD: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70) DeSmet 610, Smith-Cotton 615, MULES 619, Joplin 620, Lafayette 620. 1982 • SECOND: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70) Rolla 607, MULES 617, Blue Springs 621, DeSmet 625. 1981 • FIRST: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70)* MULES 311, Excelsior Springs 317, Raytown 319, Jefferson City 320. 1980 • FIRST: A.L. Gustin GC, Columbia (70)* MULES 592, Parkway West 603, Rock Bridge 604, Jefferson City 609. 1977 • FOURTH: Westwood Hills CC, Poplar Bluff (71) Rolla 598, Parkway West 603, Rockhurst 604, MULES 606. 1958 • FOURTH: Swope Park GC, Kansas City (71) Helias 683, Parkway 684, Carthage 697, MULES 703. 1939 • FOURTH: Univ. of Kansas City GC (73) Springfield Central 309, KC Central 320, Jefferson City 325, MULES 329. 1938 • FIRST: University GC, Columbia (34) MULES 297, Kirkwood 301, Springfield Central 304, Hickman 305. __STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES__

Team placement and scores at state by year:

2015 - 6th (621) 2013 - 7th (655) 2011 - 6th (636) 2009 - 9th (641) 2006 - 5th (606) 2003 - 12th (659) 2000 - 9th (646) 1999 - 6th (649) 1998 - 12th (651) 1993 - 7th (638) 1990 - 12th (322)* 1985 - 11th (645) 1979 - 7th (631) 1976 - 21st (613) 1975 - 15th (641) 1974 - 14th (635) 1973 - 9th (635) 1972 - 21st (494) 1970 - 13th (487) 1958 - 6th (652) __ALL-STATE PLAYERS__

With year, place, name, scores by round, total: 2018 — 5. Nathan Woolard 73-73, 146 2017 — 5t. Nathan Woolard 77-73, 150 2016 — 15t. Nathan Woolard 79-79, 158 2012 — 14t. Carr Vernon, 77-75 − 152 2011 — 2. Carr Vernon 74-70 — 144 2010 — 3t. Trent Hillis, 72-74 — 146 2008 — 4t. Trent Hillis, 76-71 — 147 2007 — 8t. Tyler Hillis, 75-77 — 152; 10t. Trent Hillis, 75-78 — 153 2005 — 5. Tyler Hillis, 68-76 — 144 2004 — 1t. Tyler Hillis, fr., 71-70 — 141 2000 — 10t. Ben Brumitt, 77-75 — 152 1996 — 1. Colby Robertson 69*; 9t. Andy McCulleum 74* 1995 — 3. Colby Robertson (74-71) 145; 4t. Derek Rahlman (75-71) 146 1994 — 1. Colby Robertson (68-68) 136; 14t. Derek Rahlmann (72-78) 151 1993 — 10t. Colby Robertson (80-71) 151 1990 — 15t. Todd Metz (38-37) 75* 1989 — 10t. Todd Metz (77-72) 149; 15t. John Gaia (76-75) 151 1988 — 7. Ben Godwin (69-78) 147; 9t. Danny Cashman (78-70) 148 1987 — 3. Ben Godwin (73-70) 143 1986 — 1. Brent Pennington (75-70) 145 1985 — 14t. Will Moseby (75-80) 155 1982 — 3t. Bobby Godwin (70-79) 149; 3t. Craig Caringer (74-75) 149 1981 — 6. Craig Caringer (37-38) 75; 14t. Mike Hall (37-41) 78* 1980 — 1t. Caringer (72-68) 140; 9. Robbie Davis (74-74) 148 1979 — 13t. Joe Lanning (77-75) 152 1977 — 2. Denis Duncan (68-76) 144; 12t. John Pennington (n/a) 149 1974 — 14. Pete Godwin, (74-77) 151 1960 — 3t. Tom Hoover (72-75) 147 1959 — 7t. Tom Hoover (85-77) 162; 7t. Randy Snider (82-80) 162 1958 — 16t. Tom Hoover (78-80) 158 1940 — 6t. Ralph Striegel (81-79) 160; 14t. Jim Belknap (87-82) 169 1939 — 2. Hillis Ponder, 142; 12t. Ralph Striegel, 155

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