Knights' Parker comes through at perfect time

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
May 6, 2004
FOREST Timing is everything in the world of sports and no one could question Shane Parker's timing in the MHSAA Class 3A state golf tournament
Wednesday afternoon.
Parker shot a 4-under par 68 to lead the West Lauderdale Knights to the 3A state championship at Forest Country Club. The round was Parker's best of the season and was 10 strokes better than his opening-day 78.
The Knights finished with a two-day total of 621 to beat second place Alcorn Central by 21 strokes. The Bears started Wednesday just four strokes off the lead.
Corinth, which was only two strokes behind the Knights after Tuesday's play, skied to a 331 Wednesday to fall 25 strokes out of the lead.
Parker's two-day 146, 2-over par, gave him medalist honors for the tournament.
West also got a 79 from No. 4 player Michael Burton, an 80 from No. 3 player Jarrod Moulds, and an 81 from No. 5 L.J. Robinson. Ross McWilliams' 88 was thrown out. His 78 on Tuesday did count as Robinson's opening-round 94 was scrapped.
Robinson was determined to make a contribution on Wednesday.
The story of the day was Parker and he served notice early as he promptly birdied three of the first four holes and made the turn at 3-under for the day after a bogey on No. 5 and another birdie on No. 6.
Hart was on hand to see some of Parker's magic.
Parker finished the day with seven birdies and three bogeys.
Parker, who had three birdies on the first five holes of the back nine, was 6-under at one point. He quickly gave credit to his father, Jim Parker, for educating him to the game of golf.
West coach Jody Hurst told his team prior to the final round that a 305 should bring home the championship. The Knights were three strokes over that
target, but still pulled away for the win.