BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
DODGE CITY – Ellinwood’s two-time 2A state golf runner-up Drew Heinz captured a 2A state golf championship with a 74 Tuesday with two birdies for a 140 total that avenged a loss to last year's champion Michael Matteuci 148 (71-77) of Salina Sacred Heart.
Heinz shot a career low 5-under-par 66 in Monday's ideal weather to build a 5-shot lead at the 2A state golf tournament at Mariah Hills Golf Course. Heinz carded seven birdies behind accurate driving and putting.
"When I rolled in a 25-foot birdie at No. 7, I knew it'd be a great day," Heinz said. "I drove the ball well and got good angles to the pins. I hit good wedges and the greens were rolling really nice. It gave me confidence because I was hitting the ball well."
The wind kicked up past 20 mph Tuesday during a 3-over-par 74. Heinz birdied two holes, which was offset by a 4-putt and a pair of 3-putt greens.
"The wind was higher, but was putting wasn't as good," he said. "It's awesome to finally get it done. It feels good, after the two runners-up. It made it better with my friends and family around."
Defending state champion Salina Sacred Heart, 612 (293-319) captured its ninth consecutive state championship. The Knights cruised to a 57-stroke advantage over runner-up Ellinwood, 669 (331-338). The Eagles counted scores by 15th-place Mason Moore, 166 (83-83); 35th-place Luke Heinz, 178 (90-88); and 42rd-place Braden Lewis, 185 (92-93).
"We'll hang a state golf banner at school, which was our goal," Heinz said. "We knew it'd take a good team effort to place second. High school golf has been fun. To finish it like that made it even more special."
Previous Ellinwood state golf champions are Cody Kirkpatrick, 2000 (69, Lake Barton); Ryan Alefs, 1996 (74, Hesston); and the 2-man tandem of Brian Schwartz/Steve Southern, 1977 (313, Hesson). The Eagles were 2-1A state runner-up in 1998 (Junction City) under coach Scott Mitchum.
Salina Sacred Heart's Luke Newell placed third 150 (73-77); Hunter Newell, 10th, 161 (78-83) and Dom Matteuci, 12th, 164 (81-83).
2A DODGE CITY, PAR 71
TEAM TOTALS—1—Salina Sacred Heart, 612 (293-319); 2—Ellinwood, 669 (331-338); 3—Topeka Cair Paravel, 682 (334-348); 4—Hutchinson Trinity, 691 (335-356); 5—Hoxie, 701 (339-362); 6—Garden Plain, 706 (336-370); 7—Hill City 339; 8—Pittsburg Colgan 341; 9—Atchison Maur Hill 346; 10—Syracuse 357; 11—Berean Academy 359; 12—Erie 412
TOP 20 MEDALISTS—1—Drew Heinz, Ellinwood, 140 (66-74); 2—Michael Matteuci, SSH, 148 (71-77); 3—Luke Newell, SSH, 150 (73-77); Easton Fink, Oakley, 153 (75-78); 6—Rich Helmbold, Cair Paravel, 154 (76-78); 7—Tate Nelson, GP, 158 (76-82); 8—Noah Dowell, Hoxie, 159 (76-83); 9—Jayden DeWalt, VH, 160 (81-79); 10—Hunter Newell, SHS, 161 (78-83); 11—Lincoln Barnes, Hutchinson Trinity, 163 (79-84); 12—Dom Matteuci, SSH, 164 (81-83); 13—Luke Seibert, Maur Hill, 165 (80-85); Mark Entz, Berean, 165 (80-85); 15—Mason Moore, Ellinwood, 166 (83-83); Andrew Nelson, Wichita Independent, 166 (80-86); 17—Max McGregor, GP, 167 (73-94); Dylan Budig, Hill City, 167 (81-86); 19—Miles Blaylock, Hutchinson Trinity, 169 (78-91); 20—Lincoln Wichert, Hillsboro, 170 (85-85); Austin Carroll, Ell-Saline, 170 (86-84).
ELLINWOOD—35—Luke Heinz, 178 (90-88); 42—Braden Lewis, 185 (92-93); 48—A.J. Bowyer, 201 (102-99); 51—Austin Brack, 207 (102-105).
Panther makes 18-hole cut
NEWTON — Great Bend Panther Ethan Somers shot 25-over-par 97 Tuesday and placed 52nd (178) at the Class 5A state golf tournament at Sand Creek Station Golf Course. Somers earned five pars in Tuesday's round.
Somers shot 9-over-par 81 Monday to qualify for the second round. Somers shot a career-low score for the second consecutive tournament.
5A STATE, NEWTON
SAND CREEK STATION, PAR 72
TOP 10 MEDALISTS—1—Asher Whitaker, KC, 141 (70-71); 2—Laken Matthews, Maize South, 143 (65-78); 3—Jake Kolich, St. James, 144 (68-76); 4—Colt Farrow, Andover Central, 146 (72-74); 5—Noah Pirtle, KMC, 147 (73-74); 6—Carson Wright, Goddard Eisenhower, 149 (72-77); Jacob Fratzel, St. James, 149 (75-74); 8—Josh Fratzel, St. James, 150 (76-74); 9—Tyler Hardtarfe, Goddard Eisenhower, 151 (72-79); 10—Grant Hatzenbue, Andover, 152 (70-82)
TEAM TOTALS—1—Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 601 (297-304); 2—Lenexa St. James, 607 (301-306); 4—Maize South, 628 (301-327); 3—Goddard Eisenhower, 614 (304-310); 5—Emporia, 643 (315-328); 6—BVSW, 646 (316-330).
Indian misses 18-hole cut
EMPORIA — Larned's Talon Reynolds shot 11-over-par 83 to miss the 18-hole cut at the Class 3A state golf tournament at Emporia Municipal Golf Course.
Tiger misses 18-hole cut
HESSTON – St. John’s Brody Vieux shot 30-over-par 101 at Hesston Golf Course to miss the 18-hole cut at the 1A state golf tournament at Hesston Golf Course.
