Joplin High School senior Jordan Bozarth has learned that golf, much like life, rewards perseverance and quiet consistency. He has spent his prep career sharpening both his swing and his mindset, leaning on faith, family and teammates along the way.
Bozarth says his biggest inspiration is his father, who he describes as “a man after God’s own heart” and someone who has steadily prepared him for the real world. “He has watched me make mistakes, he has watched me learn from those mistakes and also taught me how to learn from my mistakes,” Bozarth said. “He inspires me to challenge myself even when I may not want to.”
On the course, Bozarth relies on a trusty 6-iron, a club he calls his most consistent regardless of how he is playing. His favorite place to use it is Schifferdecker Golf Course, a layout he loves because it is usually in great shape and filled with good memories from past rounds. His best competitive day so far came at Peoria Ridge, where he fired a 79 in what he calls the most complete round of his life.
Bozarth says the best part of Joplin golf is the bond with his teammates, knowing the laughs and bus rides will not last forever even if golf does. Away from school, he spends his time golfing, hunting, hiking and playing video games. In the classroom, he gravitates toward history, especially World War II, and still remembers his favorite teacher, fifth grade’s Mrs. Miller.
If there has been a weak spot in his game, Bozarth admits it has been chipping. He has poured extra time into that area, rebuilding his confidence and seeing his scores “improve drastically” as a result. “Athletics has taught me to always persevere,” Bozarth said. “No matter what you’re going through, whether it be a morning workout or a tough, grueling game, you always can push through and go harder.”
