Plainsmen golfers end season placing eighth at state

Kearney was the host of the Nebraska Class C State Golf Championships on May 22-23. 

Out of the 15 teams competing, the Plainsmen team took the number eight spot with a 679 total team score, 342 round one, with round two resulting in 337. The Plainsmen were +111.

Grand Island took the championship with a team total of 637, and just +69.

Coach Kemling said, “We knew the state meet would be a challenge for us - playing against the best in the state on a difficult, tree-lined course. The hope was that the level of our play would rise to meet this challenge. Unfortunately, it did not go as planned, with most of us scoring average to below average golf.”

Josh Johnston faired the best for the Plainsmen team, and ended his high school golf career tied for 18th place, with a +20. An 83, 79 put him at 162 total. 

Carson Thelander was tied for 32 place at the end of the championship, after an 86, 82 brought him to a final score of 168, +26.

Also competing in his last state golf meet was senior Tyson Patrick, who ended the competition with a 174 that tied him for 45th place (88,86) for +32.

Tied for 50th was Jacob Woodmancy who shot a 85, 90 totaling 175 for +33.

Aaron Fay competed and ended in the 76th slot, after  total of 187 (96,91) that left him with a +45.

“The main difficulties we faced would be keeping the ball in play off the tee and negotiating the greens well. The poor holes I witnessed usually started off with a drive that immediately put our player in a bad situation. This often resulted in a chip out situation, which took par out of the equation most of the time.  Once we were around the green, the tricky pin positions made chipping close difficult and putting equally tough,” Kemling added. 

“On a positive note, I always saw each of our players working hard. The pre-shot routines did not waver and our attitudes were constructive in spite of not putting up the scores we are capable of.

“I was impressed with several outcomes from the state meet.  First, I was encouraged with most of our players improving on day two.  In particular, Carson started day two with a rough four opening holes which had him at six over.  Over the next fourteen holes, he was five over par, stringing five pars in a row at one point.  It showed great resilience on his part.

“Secondly, Josh played himself into medal contention on day two through aggressive play. He decided to use his driver more which worked well early on. At one point he was in 15th place on the second nine. Unfortunately, his driver left him with a difficult situation off the tee on the 15th hole ending up with a triple bogie. He ended up 3 strokes out of medaling.

“Third, Tyson kept a good attitude even when his score let him down. Tyson couldn’t get much consistency going during his rounds as he was able to put three pars together at one point. Even though his score didn’t show it, he is a very good player - it is disappointing he didn’t show it for two days at the state meet.

“Jacob, Aaron, and Carson gained valuable experience over the past two days. This should only help them moving forward in their golf games.

“I do want to thank the golfers for their efforts this season and for the support of parents/family coming to the meets to give their support.  It was a memorable season.  The seniors will be missed for their leadership on and off the course.”

Team Results: 1. Grand Island Centeral Catholic, 637 (320, 317, +69); 2. Elmwood-Murdock, 647 (318, 329, +79); 3. Creighton, 648 (327, 321, +80); 4. Kimball, 655 (334, 321, +87); 5 Hartington Cedar Catholic, 660 (319, 341, +92); 6. Lincoln Christian, 664 (330, 334, +96); 7. Battle Creek, 670 (335, 335, +102); 8. Perkins County, 679 (342, 337, +111); 9. Broken Bow, 685 (339,346, +117); 10. Bishop Neumann, 693 (343,350, +125).

Individual Results: 1.Chase Largen, Creighton, 145; 2. Matthew Schaefer, Hartington Cedar Catholic, 146; T3. Eric Stevens, Bridgeport, 150; T3. Ryan Van Ostrand, Lincoln Christian, 150; T5. Gavin Fox, Grand Island Central Catholic, 151; T5. Preston Carbaugh, Cambridge, 151; T7. Joel Zach, Lincoln Christian, 152; T7. Patrick Kenney, Bishop Neuman, 152; T9. Jack Goering, Grand Island Central Catholic, 157; T9. Nicholas Landfeldt, Elmwood-Murdock, 157.

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

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