McPHERSON— It was a good start to the 2015 season for a very young Barton Community College women’s golf team.

With six freshmen stepping onto Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, coach Doug Kaiser wasn’t sure what to expect.

What he got was a solid debut as the Cougars finished securely in second place at the Central Kansas Classic. Redlands, ranked in the top five nationally, won the meet with a 36-hole team total of 673.
Barton finished a distant second with a 725 but well ahead of third place Dodge City, which shot a 751. Sterling (794) and host Central Christian (884) finished out the team scoring.

“We are a young group,” Kaiser said. “We needed to get some tournament play in. I think we can be pretty good. Dodge City is better than last year so that will be a challenge for us this year.”

The Cougars were a consistent 362-363 during the two-day event.

Thailand freshman Peerada Piddon led the young Cougars with her 81-82—163 total that placed her second overall. Redland’s Kaylee Neff won medalist honors with a 77-82—159.

The Cougars put three golfers in the top 10 and another just outside it.

Leeseo Park of South Korea shot an 84-91—175 to tie for seventh and Natalie Fish from Topeka Seaman High School shot a 98-94—192 for 10th.

Bailey Gage, a freshman from Arkansas City, just missed a Top 10 effort with a 99-96—195 for 11th.

Taylor Overlees of Cheney shot 95-107—202 to finish in a tie for 14th while Mackenzie Fabrizius made her way around in 112-98—210 for 18th.

Barton will play its first of three conference meets this fall when they host Jayhawk Conference meet No. 1 at StoneRidge Golf Course Sept. 28-29.