After enjoying an outstanding high school golf career that included two all-Eastern Missouri Conference selections and an all-state medal, Keenan James wasn’t planning on putting away his golf clubs.

The Montgomery County graduate continued his golf career at Mineral Area College, a junior college located in Park Hills. Even though he played in just three tournaments in the 2022-23 season, James was thrilled with the opportunity of playing golf at the college level.

“I enjoyed it a lot,” James said. “It was definitely a little different from high school with a little more competition. There were some nice courses.”

James played with a MAC team that had six sophomores and five freshmen. One of the players, sophomore Wil Claywell, was the Cardinals’ lone representative at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II tournament.

“I room with three of my teammates,” James said. “They’re coming to be three of my best friends now. I definitely enjoy that life. I like hanging out with them a lot. They’re definitely bringing some competition to me, so it’s a lot of fun.”

James was also part of a MAC team that won its second straight Region 16 championship. The Cardinals had five players named to the all-region team.

“I actually got to go to the tournament,” James said. “I was a reserve, but I didn’t get to play. It was still cool to experience all of the ups and downs of the tournament.”

James competed in the Lindenwood Tournament and the
Spring Fling in Scottsboro, Ala., during the spring season. James said he enjoyed the trip to Alabama.

“It was my second time ever playing in a tournament out of state,” James said. “It was definitely a good experience and the weather was beautiful out there. Obviously, I didn’t play my best when I was there, but I still enjoyed being there with my teammates.”

James graduated from MCHS in 2022. While he was a member of the school’s golf team, James earned all-league honors in his junior and senior seasons and placed 11th at the Class 2 golf tournament in Columbia in his senior year. James signed a letter of intent to play golf at MAC during the final weeks of his senior year.

In his freshman year at MAC, James found out that getting a spot in the starting lineup wasn’t easy. He played for a team that had six returning players from last year’s squad that finished in 18th in nationals and had three freshmen who competed in the 2022 Missouri state high school tournament.

“They are all of the best players on the same team,” James said. “It made the competition a lot harder. It makes it harder to get into one of those top spots on the team.”

James had a practice average of 79. He said he received plenty of encouragement from MAC coach Mike Mapes, who earned Region 16 coach of the year honors.

“He definitely tries to push us to be as good as we can,” James said. “I have improved a lot since I came over there. I still have a lot to improve on. He helps me out a lot with that. He makes sure I stay on my game and practice every day like I should to get better.”