By ALAN HOSKINS
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The winds of western Kansas and Sand Creek Station’s tricky greens dealt Kansas City Kansas Community College’s golf team a bit of a setback in the Bethel Spring Invitational Sunday.
Third after firing a 298 at Hesston Golf Course on Saturday, the Blue Devils skidded to a 324 at Sand Creek Station in Newton Sunday and had to settle for fifth place in the 19-team tournament made up almost entirely of four-year colleges and universities.
Loaded with international players, Bethany took the first two places with scores of 590 and 608. Hastings was third at 611 followed by Hutchinson (614), KCKCC (324), Dakota Wesleyan and John Brown (625), Ottawa (629), Missouri Valley (633) and Dakota Wesleyan B (633) rounding out the top 10.
Piper sophomore Charlie Rinehart took medalist honors Saturday with a 3-under 68 at Hesston and finished in a tie for 11th with teammate Alex Forristal of Olathe East at 152. Marc McClain of Bonner Springs deadlocked for 25th with a 77-79-156.
Evan Shartzer of Blue Valley North tied for 35th with a 74-85-159 and Montana Fasching of Piper was another stroke back in 43rd with 80-80-160 to round out the Blue Devil scoring. Seve Sites of SM Northwest finished 49th with a 79-83-162, Lane Pauls of Newton 59th (78-86-164) and Colton Allen 66th (80-85).
“We weren’t able to play a practice round and then with the wind coming up and some tough pin placements we didn’t play nearly as well as we’re capable,” said KCKCC Coach Gary Shrader. “Normally we’ll average about 31 putts per player a round; Sunday it was probably about 36. The pin on No. 13 was almost impossible and the head pro apologized for the placement. One player had six putts. The ball would roll up to the hole and then roll back.”
The fifth place finish comes on the heels of a third place finish in the first Jayhawk Designated Tournament at Falcon Lakes.
Hutchinson led the way at 582 followed by Dodge City (592), KCKCC (603), Barton County (605), Garden City (606), Allen County (627) and Coffeyville (668). Charlie Rinehart led KCKCC with a seventh place at 198 with Montana Faschling tying for 10th at 151.
The Blue Devils are now idle April 13 when they’ll compete in a 36-hole tournament at Alvamar in Lawrence.
