A LEAP FORWARD Lyla Best finished 17 spots higher at this year’s Class 2 state girls golf tournament than she had in 2025.

The Richmond junior placed fifth at the 2026 competition. Best finished in a tie for 22nd with John Burroughs’ Flynn Engelsmann last season, Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) records state.

Best secured her fifth-place spot shooting a 155 for the two-day tournament, which concluded Tuesday at Bogey Creek Golf Club in Farmington. She shot a 79 (+7) for her first 18-hole, par-72 round. She shot a 76 (+4) Tuesday.

Best was one of two Richmond state qualifiers. Senior Karoline Dooley, who has signed to play women’s golf at Park University in Parkville, shot a 165, tying Centralia’s Emerson Eckler for 16th.

Dooley shot an 81 (+9) her first day and an 84 (+12) her second.

For additional tournament results, visit the MSHSAA website.

Additional state coverage is scheduled for Oct. 30.

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