Local golfer represents Team Missouri, claims runner-up honors

Local golfer Laylah Bates of Branson had the opportunity to represent Team Missouri in the Southern Junior Cup matches at The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia, MO, this week. The invite only event features players from Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas and Oklahoma squaring off in a Ryder Cup format over three rounds of competition.

Bates (Photo submitted)

Bates was paired with Brody Rader of Eldon, MO, for the Fourball matches and Foursomes Alternate shot format. The team narrowly lost in fourball down 1, but rebounded in the afternoon winning their alternate shot match 2&1 against a team from defending champions, Alabama.

Team Missouri claimed runner-up honors coming up just short by a one-half point to Alabama.

Bates has had a good summer run, highlighted by two ASGA wins and a top 10 finish in the Missouri Junior Amateur. Bates has moved up to 11th in the state rankings excluding 2026 graduates. Next up will be the high school season kicking off September 3, where the two-time All-State player will be representing School of the Ozarks for her junior season.