Days before the start of her senior season, Ash Grove three-time state champion Rylee Allred made the 185-mile trek to Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, a venue she said is hosting this year’s Class 1 MSHSAA championships in October.
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In her pursuit of history – Missouri has never had a four-time individual state girls golf champion in any classification, according to MSHSAA records – Allred was familiarizing herself with the Kansas City-area course.
Allred, who’s been glued to the greens since first picking up a club at age 9, acknowledged the pressure of securing a fourth title, but said her preparation will ease her nerves.
“I’m kind of trying not to think too hard about (the pressure of completing a four-peat),” said Allred, who’s received an offer to continue her golf career at NCAA Division II Pittsburg State University. “I just think about it as another day on the golf course and whatever happens, happens.”
Allred is one of five three-time state champions, according to MSHSAA records. The list includes recent Glendale graduate and current Mizzou freshman Page Bowman (2023-2025), Notre Dame de Sion’s Megan Propeck (2017, 2018, 2020), Richmonds’ Brianna Broderick (2000-2002), and Lebanon’s Kerry Speaker (1976-1978)
The weight of a potential historical four-peat can derail a performance, especially in the meticulous sport of golf. Allred trusts that her diligent preparation will put her in the best position.
Ash Grove senior Rylee Allred’s collection of golf medals. (Courtesy photo)
Allred spends her offseasons competing against many of the state’s best in the Missouri Golf Association (MGA) Junior Tour, which hosts events at courses that run around 500 yards longer than typical high school courses.
She has won more than 10 tournaments in total across her MGA Junior Tour and high school careers, while recording top-five finishes in countless others.
Allred’s doggedness to be on the course has been a major key to three consecutive championships.
“Practice. You have to practice everyday,” Allred said of how she’s maintained consistent success in high school. “Summer tournaments, too. I feel like their competitiveness helps you a lot (with consistency.)”
Allred had a productive weekend at Paradise Pointe, saying the experience has allowed her to “get to know the course a lot.”
In her three previous state championship performancess, Allred sat atop the two-day leaderboards by shooting a 165 her freshman year at Sedalia Country Club; a 151 her sophomore year at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington; and a 152 her junior year at Tanglewood Golf Course in Fulton.
She will begin her pursuit of a fourth championship on Aug. 31 in the Edna Boyer Tournament in West Plains.
Allred’s preparation and time spent on the course has left her with a wise outlook on her approach to the game.
“I’m just taking it one shot at a time,” she said.
Jayden Pettus is a high school sports correspondent for the Daily Citizen and is the former editor-in-chief for The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-newspaper. He can be reached at jpettus@sgfcitizen.org. More by Jayden Pettus