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Plainsmen golfers present in North Platte at the SPVA invite are (l-r): Josh Johnston, Jacob Woodmancy, Carson Thelander and Michael Beck. PC took second place with a team total of 338 for the day.

PC Plainsmen take second at SPVA

Last week saw more great results for the Plainsmen golf team who participated in two invites. 

Garden County was the host on April 25 where the Plainsmen competed with nine other teams, before they headed to North Platte on Friday, April 27 where they went head-to-head with six other schools in the SPVA invite at River’s Edge.

GARDEN COUNTY

For a change, the weather was enjoyable this go around for PC and Coach Troy Kemling. “The team responded with a good performance and were able to negotiate the quick greens better than most. It was a good confidence boost heading into the SPVA invite on Friday,” he said.

“We are entering the main part of the season. The weather starts to cooperate more, practices become more productive and the meets show the talent of the players. Today was a springboard for the remaining stretch of the season,” Kemling added.

The Plainsmen took first place in Garden County on both the team scoreboard as well as individually. 

As a team, PC finished the day with 334, ahead of the No. 2 team, Garden County, by 34 strokes. Dundy County came in third with a 372.

On the individual side, PC had three players place top 10. 

Senior Josh Johnston took first after winning in the playoff, with 79 for the day, 38 out front and 41 on the back none. 

Tyson Patrick also had 79 strokes for the day, 37 on the front and 42 on the back, which earned him second place. 

Kemling commented on the top two players of the day. 

“It was fun for me to witness Josh and Tyson playing off for the individual medalist. Both have been striking the ball incredibly well and were able to take advantage of the course with their length. For example, both had 300-plus yard tee shots on the first playoff hole which left them about 50 yards in. It really was a chipping duel.”

Sophomore Carson Thelander earned himself the No. 5 spot on the individual board with an 86 for the day, 45-41.

“Carson has been one of our most consistent players with a top 10 in every meet this season. He has the fortitude to let a bad hole go and not dwell on it. He seems to approach each hole as a new opportunity which really helps out,” Kemling said. 

Other competitors at Garden County representing Perkins County were Jacob Woodmancy, who shot a 90, and Michael Beck who shot a 92 for the day. 

“I was disappointed for Jacob and Michael just falling out of the top 10. They were disappointed in their scores as they were hoping for better,” Coach added. 

Despite the great outcome for the day, Kemling explained there are still some areas that need to be worked on, including positioning the ball when the green is missed, short putts and adjusting placement of chips. 

Team Scoring: 1. Perkins County, 334; 2. Garden County, 368; 3. Dundy County Stratton, 372; 4. Paxton, 380; 5. Mullen, 383; 6. Ogallala JV, 428; 7. Bridgeport JV, 430; 8. Chase County, 431; 9. Creek Valley, 436; 10. South Platte, 541.

Individual Scoring: 1. Josh Johnston, Perkins County, 79 (38-41); 2. Tyson Patrick, Perkins County, 79 (37-42); 3. Nate Auffet, Dundy County, 83; 4. Koby Walker, Mullen, 85; 5. Carson Thelander, Perkins County, 86 (45-41); 6. Braxton Robertson, Garden County, 87; 7. Max Svoboda, Mullen, 87; 8. Jeremy Peters, Paxton, 88; 9. Peyton Stanczyk, Garden County, 89; 10. Romey Grier, Dundy County, 89. 

NORTH PLATTE SPVA

Another great day for golf on Friday, according to Coach Kemling, their second meet in a row with decent weather to work with, “I thought I was dreaming,” Kemling joked, adding “The boys responded with some excellent golf on a course only a couple of them had played.”

Perkins County was able to take the second place team score for the day, after 338 strokes, falling just shy of Kimball, who took first place with 333. “Our team score of 339 is the second lowest of the year but was not quite good enough to win the meet. We credit Kimball with having consistent scores that propelled them to the SPVA crown. They outplayed our team today,” Kemling said. Bridgeport was the No. 3 team with 364. 

On the individual scoreboard, Johnston was once again, the No. 1 player of the day, shooting 37 on the front and 41 on the back, leaving him with 78 and once again having to play in the shoot out for the tie breaker. 

“Josh was not outplayed by anyone. It is an honor to win SPVA medalist honors and Josh is certainly deserving. After a red-hot start, he was able to continue fighting (an inconsistent driver) and took advantage of some opportunities. Josh had to take his ball high over a tree in order to force a playoff. Only one extra hole was needed to decide the outcome as Stevens 3-putted,” Kemling said.

Eric Stevens of Bridgeport took second with a score of 78. 

Thelander again made the top the for PC, this time taking sixth place individually, with an 84, 44 on the front and 40 on the back. Woodmancy took seventh place with an 85 consisting of 42-43. Kemling said, “Both sophomores played well today. Carson and Jacob had fantastic holes resulting in birdies and several disappointments along the way. They both kept working hard and staying positive.”

Other competitors representing PC at SPVA were Patrick and Beck, who both shot a 91. “Michael and Tyson ended the day tied. Michael started the day off really well and Tyson finished well. Both were disappointed at their final tally and plan to address areas that need improvement.

“It was good to allow our JV golfers a chance to compete on a different course. Aaron stepped up with an impressive opening nine, battling for upcoming varsity roles,” Kemling added. 

Team Scoring: 1. Kimball, 333; 2. Perkins County, 338; 3. Bridgeport, 364; 4. Sutherland, 376; 5. Hershey, 378; 6. NP St. Pats, 426; 7. Chase County, 437.

Individual Scoring: 1. Josh Johnston, Perkins County, (37-41)*, 2. Eric Stevens, Bridgeport, 78; 3. Andrew McCloud, Kimball, 79; 4. Nolan Benjamin, Hershey, 81; 5. Dillon Wise, Kimball, 82; 6. Carson Thelander, Perkins County, 84 (44-40); 7. Jacob Woodmancy, Perkins County, 85 (42-43); 8. Drake DeMasters, Bridgeport, 86; 9. Izaac Reuter, Kimball, 86; 10. Zane Anthony, Kimball, 86.

NEXT ACTION

The JV team traveled to Creek Valley on Tuesday, May 1, and varsity headed to McCook to the Hitchcock County invite. 

“Due to our own meet being cancelled, we are adding an event to allow all our golfers another meet opportunity. This will also give the varsity additional practice on a difficult course which shares some characteristics with the state course in Kearney,” Kemling said of the McCook meet. 

After that, on Thursday May 3, the Plainsmen travel to Kimball for a 1 p.m. tee time. 

Results for these invites will be in next week’s issue of the Grant Tribune. 

 

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