by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College got the 2016 golf season off to an outstanding start, placing six golfers in the top 14 finishers in the Ottawa Invitational at Eagle Bend in Lawrence Monday and Tuesday.
The well-balanced effort earned the Blue Devils a second place finish in the 9-team tournament otherwise made up of four-year colleges and universities.
Morningside College of Sioux City, Iowa, took top honors with rounds of 292 and 291 for a 7-over par 583. KCKCC also broke 300 in both rounds with 299 and 296 for a 595 total. Kansas Wesleyan was a distant third at 609 followed by Bethany, 615; Ottawa, 616; Bethel, 634’ Avila, 639; Haskell Indian Nation, 678; and Bethel’s B team, 681.
Sophomore Jeremy Dunham of Derby (75-74-149) and freshman Nick Wagner of Wichita Maise (74-75-149) tied for fifth to lead the Blue Devils. Sophomore Evan Shartzer of Blue Valley North (76-74-150) was another stroke back in a tie for ninth while freshman Bobby Armstrong of Wichita Bishop Carroll (76-75-151) was yet another stroke back in a tie for 11th.
Sophomore Marc McClain of Bonner Springs (80-73-153) and freshman Micah Morris of Guthrie, Okla. (74-79-153) tied for 14th place while freshman Cody Foster of Shawnee Heights (90-83-173) finished 48th and sophomore Jack Barnhart of Hesston (92-86-178) finished 54th.
The Blue Devils will return to action Monday and Tuesday when they compete in the Coffeyville Invitational in Bartlesville, Okla.