BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Maybe Great Bend's boys golf team will pull another surprise for coach Steve Wolf.
After placing last in every Western Athletic meet, the Panthers surprised everyone with a runner-up regional finish (375) at Auburn Hills Golf Course for a 5A state tournament berth.
Five state qualifiers return for a team primed to compete better in the Western Athletic Conference after finishing last in every league meet last year.
At 5A state, Ethan Somers qualified for the second time (81) and placed 57th at Emporia Golf Course. Two years ago, he survived the 18-hole cut to finish 52nd (178, 81-97).
The Panthers (353) placed 12th at Emporia with Nash Lindberg (87), Alec Premer (88), Eli Somers (95), Cal Schartz (104) and Trent Rowe (117) competing.
At regionals at Wichita's Auburn Hills Golf Course, ninth-place Lindberg (85), 15th-place Ethan Somers (91), 20th-place Eli Somers (95), 20th-place Alec Premer (100), 20th-place Schartz (100) and Rowe gained valuable postseason experience.
"We battled and fought to reach state in terribly windy conditions," said Great Bend coach Steve Wolf. "We wouldn't have make the state tournament if Eli Somers hadn't pulled off a shot over water under pressure."
Ethan Somers and Lindberg will key the lineup.
"Ethan and Nash are core guys who'll be in our lineup, our two leaders," Wolf said. "Alec Premer will be in there. We've got good athletes competing for our varsity lineup, eight or nine guys. We've got a ton of players who love golf and want to get better. We'll put our six best players out there. We'll definitely have varsity qualifying scores to earn their spot."
The Premer brothers, Alec and Ian, are an interesting contrast who have shared golf clubs this spring. Alec has played more golf, but Ian recently acquired golf clubs perfectly suited for a 6-foot-6 golfer.
"Alec can bomb the driver over 300 yards. Ian will figure it out," Wolf said. "Ian is eager to learn and get better. He's grinding. He's competitive in whatever sport he does."
Wolf has goals for Lindberg and Ethan Somers to earn All-Western Athletic Conference honors and qualify for the 5A state tournament again.
"They've got to improve some aspects around the green," Wolf said. "Nash plays a game where he's in the fairway every time off the tee. Around the greens, they need to finish shots and their scores will improve."
Two years ago, Ethan Somers placed 52nd (178, 81-97) at Newton's Sand Creek Station. He qualified for 5A state golf with a season-best 83 at regionals.
Great Bend coach Wolf and assistant Brandon Wells inherit an 18-player roster at the busy Lake Barton Golf Course, where Hoisington and Barton Cougar players practice. The Panthers employ golf simulators and can hit range balls off site.
"It's a challenge getting players through nine holes with how crazy, busy Lake Barton is," Wolf said.
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—Nash Lindberg (5A, 87, 82ND; REG 85, 9TH; 92, 32ND), Ethan Somers (5A, 178 (81-97), 52ND; 5A, 81, 57TH; REG 83, 13TH; 91, 15TH; 97, 23RD), Karter Brown, Zachary Hart, Cory Kuhn, Hayden Kelly, Ian Premer
JUNIORS—Eli Somers (5A, 95, 88TH; REG 99, 20TH); Quinton Buzard, Keegan Roblyer, Trent Rowe (5A, 117, 93RD; REG)
SOPHOMORES—Alec Premer (5A, 88, 86TH; REG, 100, 22ND), Cal Schartz (5A, 104, 92ND; REG, 100, 22ND); Spencer Brown, Noah Kaiser, Lennon Johnson
NINTH GRADERS—Carter Schmidt, Jordan Perez
PANTHER SCHEDULE—3-30—at Lake Barton; 4-10—at McPherson; 4-16—at Newton; at Dodge City JV; 4-20—at Hays; 4-23—at Dodge City; 4-25—at Salina; 4-30—at Garden City (Buffalo Dunes), at Russell; 5-5—at Hays; 5-8—at Dodge City, Western Athletic; 5-13—at Liberal; 5-19—at 5A regional
