by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Competing in its toughest tournament of the season, Kansas City Kansas Community College finished ninth in the 19-team Bethel Spring Golf Invitational Saturday and Sunday.
“We played well, especially the second day on a much more difficult golf course,” KCKCC coach Gary Shrader said.
The Blue Devils shot 311 on the first round played at Hesston Golf Park on Saturday, then repeated the 311 on the tough Sand Creek Station Course in Newton on a Sunday in which the eight teams finishing ahead in the tournament had higher second round scores.
Kansas Wesleyan won the 36-hole tournament with a 583 total that was four shots better than runnerup Fort Hays State.
KCKCC had the best finish of the four two-year colleges in the meet, tying the University of Jamestown for ninth with a 622 total. Hesston (627) finished 11th, Allen (667) 17th and Haskell Indian Nation (716) 19th.
Freshman Cameron Riley of Liberal led the Blue Devils, tying for 14th with a 74-75-149 total. Sophomore Zach Miller (79-77-156) of Greeley deadlocked for 40th while freshman Bryce Farlin (81-79-160) of Maryville, Missouri, and sophomore Harry Welsh (77-83-160) of Olathe Northwest tied for 58th. Garrett Clark (83-80-163) of KCK and Garrett Scott (85-78-163) of Sabetha tied for 72nd.
Kansas Wesleyan and Fort Hays State were followed in the standings by Murray State, 596; Doane, 600; Hannibal-LaGrange 604, Oklahoma Wesleyan 605, Mid-America Christian 609, Bethel College 619 and KCKCC and Jamestown, both at 622.
The Blue Devils will return to Sand Creek Station in Newton next Monday and Tuesday for a 54-hole Jayhawk Conference designated tournament with Shrader hopeful the experience gained on Sunday’s round laid the foundation for a higher finish.
“With three freshmen we played both courses blind against a pretty strong field of four-year schools,” Shrader said. “I think the kids learned a lot about course management and are starting to realize that sometimes it’s important to lay up on a hole. I was happy with that.”
The Blue Devils finished fifth in the first designated tournament played at Colbert Hills March 25. Hutchinson won the tourney with a 591 total followed by Dodge City, 607; Garden City, 610; Barton County, 616; KCKCC, 640; Hesston, 650; Allen County, 728; and Coffeyville, 738.