By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Larned golfer runner-up after losing 4A playoff
colton massey1

By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

WAMEGO – Larned High’s Colton Massey was one hole away from capturing a state golf championship.

Massey tied for medalist honors with a 75, but lost a playoff against Augusta’s Jake Becker in a three-way tie with Rose Hill’s Peyton Austin in the Class 4A state golf championship at Wamego Country Club.
The left-handed Becker drove the 330-yard No. 1 playoff hole and birdied while Massey and Austin parred. Massey parred the No. 2 playoff hole, a par 3 while Austin bogeyed. Wamego’s back nine was a hilly, tree-lined test on a rain-filled day. Play was delayed for lightning on one occasion.
“It was a good finish. I was pleased with my finish and happy to reach a playoff,” Massey said. “The first playoff hole set up really well for a left-hander player. The back nine was very hilly, a very tough test with rain falling the whole back nine. It was a challenge.”
Massey reached the playoff with a key birdie at the par 5 16th hole. His best save came at when he saved a double bogey with a clutch chip and putt.
“I stayed patient, which you must do a tough day like today,” Massey said.
Massey was a four-time state qualifier who placed sixth (78, Salina Municipal, 2016), 22nd (77, McPherson Turkey Creek, 2015) and 35th (84, Mayetta, Firekeeper, 2014).
Larned placed seventh (362) with Massey joining Brandon Bartz (86), Braeden Corman (93) and Jacob Simmons (108) with scored that counted.
Andover Central (329) won a fifth-player tiebreaker by Jacob Wagner (87) that edged Wichita Trinity’s Davis Swyers (89) and Stephen Radley (89) by two strokes.

4A WAMEGO CC, PAR 70
4A TEAM SCORES—1—Andover Central 329 (won tiebreaker 87-89); 2—Wichita Trinity 329; 3—Wamego 332; 4—Hays High 336; 5—Chanute 339; 6—Topeka Hayden 352; 7—Larned 362; 8—Ottawa 364; 9—Girard 367; 10—Burlington 369; 11—Tonganoxie 387; 12—Wellington 393
TOP 20 MEDALISTS—1—Jake Becker, Augusta, 35-40—75 (won playoff, birdie); Colton Massey, Larned, 38-37—75 (won playoff, par/par); Peyton Austin, RH, 38-37—75; 4—Mason Ahlberg, CC, 37-39—76; 5—Cale Bontrager, Maize South, 38-40—78; 6—Clete Carlson, Chanute, 43-36—79; Jon Loon, Wichita Trinity, 41-38—79; Cooper Spears, Wamego, 79; Caden Vanlandingham, Wichita Trinity, 738-41—79; 10—Calvin Dillon, Louisburg, 80; Tom Dillon, Wamego 36-44—80; Peyton Wilson, Andover Central, 80; 13—Drew Sloyer, Burlington, 40-41—81; Jace Watkins, Burlington, 40-41—81; 15—Keegan Ellington, Andover Central, 41-41—82; Jacob Lackey, McPherson, 40-42—82; Sam Majors, Wichita Trinity, 46-36—82; Justin McCullick, Hays, 82; Cooper Schultz, Andover Central, 82; Andrew Soph, Ottawa, 38-44—82; Spencer Warner, Girard, 40-42—82

LARNED—1—Colton Massey, 38-37—75; 38—Brandon Bartz, 45-41--86; 58—Braeden Corman, 45-48—93; 90—Jacob Simmons, 60-48—108; 99—Hunter Barker, 56-59—115; 100—Colton Schmidt, 60-65—125