GARDEN CITY — Great Bend ninth-grader Cole Streck birdied two holes to place ninth (85) at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course Saturday. Players battled north winds blowing 20 to 35 mph. Streck rallied from a front nine 47 with a solid back nine 38.
“It was a cool day with a strong north wind that made play difficult,” said Great Bend coach Travis McAtee. “Overall, scores were higher than normal, though it was the first varsity tournament of the season.”
The Panthers placed sixth (376) with Brantley Baldwin, 19th, 95; Jayson Effertz, 20th, 96; and Cal Dunekack, 24th, 100, also counting.
“I’m encouraged by the fact we were led by four freshmen whose scores contributed to our 4-man team score,” McAtee said. “We’re excited about the possibilities that lay ahead and our ability to compete as we gain tournament experience. We’ve obviously got work to do. The guys are putting in extra time and are willing to do what it takes to improve.”
The Panthers compete at McPherson’s Turkey Creek April 5.
Hays High (321) placed four players in the top 10 led by medalist Tragdon McCrae (74) and fourth-place finisher Peyton Kieffer (80). Guymon, Okla. (346) placed second led by runner-up Grayson Wallace (76).
GARDEN CITY TOURNAMENT
TEAM TOTALS
1—Hays High (321)—1—McCrae 74, 4—Kieffer 80, 5—Zollinger 80; 13—Norris 86; 26—Kreutzer 102; 27—Schlaefi 102
2—Guymon, Okla (346)—2—Wallace 76; 8—Horner 83; 14—Ronne 89; 21—Kauffman 98
3—Garden City (349)—7—Shaddix 83; 11—Morren 86; 12—Schafer 86; 17—Richmeier 94; 22—Acosta Hernandez 99; 25—Doll 101
4—Dodge City (363)—6—Gleason 82; 15—Smith 92; 16—Goertzen 94; 18—Kerr 95; 29—Lowery 109
5—Liberal (367)—3—Riley 78; 10—Carraso 86; 23—Alvarez 99; 28—Gerhardt 104; 31—Bayouth 113
6—Great Bend (376)—9—Cole Streck 85; 19—Brantley Baldwin 95; 20—Jayson Effertz 96; 24—Cal Dunekack 100; 30—Grant Keller 112; 32—Aaron Stein 124