by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College will enter national tournament qualifying play this weekend coming off the Blue Devils’ best performance of the season.
Led by Wyandotte County standouts Charlie Rinehart and Marc McClain, the Blue Devils tied for second in the Jayhawk Championship just three strokes back of league champion Hutchinson in the 54-hole tourney played at Sand Creek Station in Newton.
In one of the closest finishes in conference history, Hutchinson finished the 54-hole tourney with an 899 total followed by KCKCC and Dodge City, both at 902; Garden City, 905; and Barton County, 908. Allen County (974) and Coffeyville (976) finished sixth and seventh.
Rinehart, a sophomore from Piper, and McClain, a freshman from Bonner Springs, finished in a tie for fourth to earn All-Jayhawk Conference second team honors. Rinehart had rounds of 71-72-77-220; McClain 73-76-71-220 to finish just three strokes back of co-medalists Natchapol Srinoon of Barton County and Zach Kirby of Dodge City.
Alex Forristal, a sophomore from Olathe East, shot 79-75-76-230 to tie for 14th while sophomores Seve Sites (84-73-79-236) of SM Northwest and Lane Pauls (82-75-79-236) tied for 21st.
“We had a couple of bad holes but the Jayhawk Conference really has some quality golf teams,” said KCKCC coach Gary Shrader.
The Blue Devils will close out regular season play Friday and Saturday when they play host to the NJCAA Region VI Division II tournament at Hillcrest Country Club. A 54-hole stroke event, the winner will advance to the national tournament.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director for KCKCC.