The last time Great Bend High School had a boys golfer advance to the Class 5A state tournament was 2009.
“Ryan Gotche qualified for state during my first season as head coach,” said GBHS head coach Troy Stein, in his fourth season this spring with the Panthers. “We haven’t had anybody qualify since.”
That could change this season as Great Bend has perhaps its best all-around team during the Stein era.
In a season-opening meet on Monday, the Panthers finished fifth out of 12 teams during the Salina Central Invitational at the par-70 Salina Municipal Golf Course.
“I think we have a pretty solid group,” Stein said on Tuesday prior to practice at Stone Ridge Golf Club. “Every one of our varsity golfers played junior golf last summer, and have done a lot of work in the offseason.”
In a meet dominated by 6A Manhattan High, David Woods of the Indians fired a 3-under 67 to beat Topeka Seaman’s Jalen Heald by three strokes.
Great Bend didn’t have a medalist at the invite, although junior Tanner Neeland finished at 82, the Panthers’ top score on the day, just one stroke back of four golfers who medaled at 81.
“Tanner went to regionals as a freshman, and he really made a big jump last summer,” Stein said.
GBHS has two seniors currently on varsity in Jeff Keenan and Aaron Mull, both of whom shot 84s at Salina.
“Jeff has been a steady golfer for us and has consistently improved,” Stein said. “Aaron has been to regionals every year, and he’s gotten better.
“The first meet was very encouraging. Hopefully, we can build on this for the rest of the season.”

HIGH SCHOOLS

Salina Central Invitational
Golf Tournament

Monday

At Salina
Salina Municipal Golf Course


Team scores
1. Manhattan, 303; 2. Topeka-Seaman, 304; 3. Hays, 327; 4. Salina Central, 329; 5. Great Bend, 335; 6.  Hutchinson JV, 343; 7. Emporia, 345; 8. Maize South, 351; 9. Salina Central, 365; 10. Salina South JV 377; 11. Topeka High JV, 392; 12. Topeka West, 419.

Medalists
1.    David Woods        Manhattan         67
2.    Jalen Heald           Seaman            70
3.    Scott Woods         Manhattan         73
4.    Mason Wages       Seaman           76
5.    Kyler Emert          Seaman            77
6.    Ross Howard        Hutch                79
7.    Blake Cormack     Salina Central   80
7.    Cole Dillon           Manhattan         80
7.    Aaron Stewart      Hays                  80
8.    Tate Emert           Seaman            81
8.    Jacob Martin         Salina Central   81
8.    Matt Martin           Salina Central   81
8.    Collin Kasitz          Maize                81

Great Bend (335)
Jeff Keenan                     84
Aaron Mull                       84    
Chance Haney                85    
Tanner Neeland              82    
Cole Mulch                      91    
Raef Rein                        88   

GBHS Golf Schedule
Varsity/Junior Varsity
April   5 — At McPherson, 2 p.m.
April   7 — At Garden City, 9 p.m.
April 10 — At Buhler (JV), 1 p.m.
April 16 — At Hays, 3 p.m.
April 19 — At Dodge  (V),  3 p.m.
            At Hesston JV, 1 p.m.
April 27 — Hutchinson, 8 p.m.
April 30 — GBHS INVITE, 3 p.m.
(DC/Hays/GC /SS/Maize)
May   3  — At Dodge, WAC JV, 3
May   8  — At Liberal, 1 p.m.
May 14  — Class 5A Regional, TBA
May 21  — Class 5A State, TBA

Great Bend High School
2012 Golf Roster
Name                            Yr
Bussen, Kyle                  12
Haney, Chance               10
Higgins, Kason Jared       9
Hillegeist, Seth                9
Honomichl, Wade           12
Jordan, Tyler                 11
Keenan, Jeff                  12
Mulch, Cole                    9
Mull, Aaron                    12
Neeland, Tanner            11
Pumford, Chase             11
Rein, Raef                      9
Richmeier, Bryce            9
Scarmeas, Blake           10
Seidel, RJ                      12
Walters, Kory                10
Wharton, Jacob              9

Head Coach — Troy Stein