by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Last spring, Kansas City Kansas Community College did something no other community college team in the nation could accomplish – the Blue Devils finished fifth in the NJCAA Division II national golf tournament with all local players. It is the highest finish by any KCKCC golf team in national tournament play.
“They asked at the national tournament how many colleges had all local or in-state
players on their teams,” said veteran KCKCC coach Gary Shrader. “We were the only team.”
Not only was Shrader’s squad made up of all Kansas players, they were all from the immediate area – two from Piper and one each from Bonner Springs, SM Northwest and Olathe East.
Shrader will try to do it again this spring with five in-state players. Unfortunately, none of the five players in last year’s national tournament return.
The Blue Devils will rebuild around three returning sophomores – Colton Allen of Shawnee Mission Northwest, Dalton Ayres of Newton and Baker-transfer Zach Spencer of Olathe East. Allen and Spencer saw limited action last year, Ayres redshirted.
They’ll be joined by freshmen Jeremy Dunham of Derby, Matt Thayne and Jack Barnhart of Hesston and Micah Morris of Guthrie, Okla., with Dunham and Thayne earning the inside track on the remaining two tournament berths.
“A very evenly matched squad,” Shrader said. “All five are capable of shooting one or two over par but they’re also capable of going higher. We don’t have anyone who will go real low but all should be close to 78. Would I take four 78’s? Sure.”
The Blue Devils have been practicing at Sunflower Hills and Dub’s Dread, two long courses ideal for preparing teams for tournament play.
“Inconsistent so far but very competitive, they all go hard at each other,” said Shrader of early rounds.
The Blue Devils will open play in the Ottawa Invitational at Eagle Bend Sunday through Tuesday before entering the very demanding Jayhawk Conference play in the first of three designated conference tournaments at Colbert Hills in Manhattan March 20-22. The other two designated tournament will be played at Cottonwood Hills in Hutchinson April 10-12 and Sandcreek Station in Newton April 17-19.
“The conference will be very tough,” Shrader said. “All of the teams have recruited well. Garden City, Dodge City, Barton County and Hutchinson all have very solid Division I teams.”
Qualifying for the Division II national tournament will be held at Sycamore Ridge in Olathe May 3-5.
Kansas City Kansas Community College
2016 Spring Golf Schedule
March 13-15 – Ottawa University Invitational, Eagle Bend, Lawrence
March 20-22 – Jayhawk Designated, Colbert Hills, Manhattan
March 25 – Graceland University, Mozingo GC, Maryville, MO.
April 2 – Hesston, Bethel College
April 10-12 – Jayhawk Designated, Cottonwood Hills, Hutchinson
April 17-19 – Jayhawk Designated, Sandcreek Station, Newton
May 3-5 – Division II District, Sycamore Ridge, Olathe
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.