Tahlequah’s Kaden Tibbetts capped his sophomore year with a strong performance at the Class 5A Golf State Tournament.

Tibbetts finished 20th individually and helped lead the Tigers to a sixth-place finish as a team on May 8-9 at Territory Golf and Country Club in Duncan. He shot a first-round score of 83, followed with what would be his best round with a 77, and closed with an 86. As a team, Tahlequah shot a 337-333-355-1,025.

“This season I think I’ve played some good golf and am super close to being a high 60s and low 70s player,” Tibbetts said. From a team side, we’ve played some great golf and have played some decent golf,” Tibbetts said.

It was the second straight year that Tibbetts qualified for the state tournament. His first experience was a memorable one.

“It was just fun and a learning experience and I got to play with some of the best guys in the state,” he said.

Tibbetts, who also plays basketball and runs cross country, has played golf since the age of four. He is inspired by professional golfer Rory McIlroy.

“I’d say a professional athlete I model would be Rory Mcllroy cause I feel like I’m able to learn a lot from just watching him on the golf course,” he said.

Tibbetts’ biggest improvement has come in the short-range game.

“I’d say my strengths are my driver and my wedges. I’ve improved tremendously on putting and just keeping my attitude right on the golf course over the past year,” he said.

When he gets off schedule, he turns to a specific drill.

“My favorite drill to do is the 3-6-9 putting drill because I feel if I ever just have a bad day putting or need to work on my putting I can do that and it seems to get me back to where I need to be,” Tibbetts said.

When Tibbetts isn’t working on his golf game he enjoys hunting, fishing and hanging out with his friends.