SMITHVILLE, Mo. — Platte County found itself in an unusual position on Monday, April 13 at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex. The Pirates finished fourth as a team in the Oak Park Invitational — their first time not atop the standings this year — with a total score of 346 on The Posse Course.
Smithville and Rockhurst tied for the top spot with 334.
Stacked with returners, Platte County had won its first two tournaments of the season with a balanced roster. This marked the biggest field of the season with 112 golfers, and the Pirates still showed well in an effort to prepare for a potentially special postseason.
“We had been on a roll,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “We hadn’t lost yet this year in matches or tournaments which is good, to have that confidence. We just want to make sure to keep our heads level — to not think we are unbeatable but know we have the capability to win first place each time.”
Platte County senior Adam Muehlebach finished in a tie for third and claim the top medal for the Pirates. He carded an 8-over 80 that included nine pars and two birdies and had just 11 total putts on the back nine (2-over).
“I had 29 putts,” said Muehlebach, who has now topped Platte County’s individual performances for the past two tournaments . “That’s a pretty positive thing. I just have to keep practicing and see how I play in the future. It was fun. I was in the sand a lot, unfortunately. I found a way to pull it together at the end and pull out an 80.”
Platte County’s Matt Madill also grabbed a top-10 finish with an 11-over 83 that tied him for seventh. He also made a pair of birdies but also managed only five pars.
Nick Bartelli tied for 29th with a 17-over 89, and Chase Beemer tied for 42nd with a 94 to round out the scores for the Pirates. Smithville’s Jacob Majeske claimed medalist honors with a five-over 77 on his home course just five days after the Warriors lost a nine-hole dual with Platte County.
The tournament served as another tune up for Platte County’s players, who will return to the course May 4 for the Class 3 District 8 tournament. The Pirates have seven seniors looking to become the first state qualifying team in program history after missing a spot by eight strokes last year.
“I hope to learn the course a little bit better,” said Muehlebach, one of three returning Missouri State Golf Championships qualifiers on the roster (Madill and Bartelli). “It’s a new learning experience. I hadn’t really played the back nine much. It was good to get out there and play the course again.”
Platte County 161, Smithville 168
Madill claimed medalist honors for the Pirates, who bunched their scores together for a win against a chief rival Wednesday, April 8.
Madill shot a 2-over 38 on the Posse Course at Paradise Point Golf Complex with Muehlebach (39) and Bartelli (40) following right behind. Beamer rounded out the team total with a 44.
Platte County improved to 3-0 in duals this season.
“We played some very good golf and our scores are continually getting lower,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “We need to keep this momentum and drive as we head into some very tough tournaments in the next two weeks.”
Smith-Cotton Invitational
Park Hill South weathered a tough day with a rain delay to start on Monday, April 13 at Sedalia Country Club. In a preview of the state course, the Panthers finished 14th out of 19 teams. Junior Tanner Owen finished with a 4-over 76 to tie for 11th.
Park Hill South did not bring its full compliment of golfers. Coach Tracy Mangels elected to give his seniors a day off and instead brought some of his youth.
Dillon Murray finished with an 85, Zach Buschler scored 95 and Tate Summa rounded out the scoring four with a 98.
Mo-Kan Invitational
Owen tied for second in a invite featuring some top teams from both sides of the state line of the Kansas City Metro.
Park Hill South finished fifth out of eight teams in the invitational hosted at the National Golf Club in Parkville, Mo. The Panthers totaled 325 — 18 shots behind team champion Rockhurst. Shawnee Mission East’s Andrew Spencer took home the individual champion honors with a 3-under 68. Owen and Blue Valley West’s James Henderson tied for runner-up with even-par 71s. Noah Pennell finished in a tie for 25th with a 13-over 84. Jake Carpenter and Murray both shot 85 to tie for 27th and round out the four counting scores for Park Hill South.
Park Hill Invitational
The Trojans finished eighth in their home tournament at Tiffany Greens Country Club on Thursday, April 10 in an 18-team field. Park Hill shot a team 344 to come in 33 strokes behind team-champion Lee’s Summit West.
Sophomore Kris Snodgrass shot an 8-over 80 to finish in 16th place. Senior Jordan Lashbrook carded an 83 to tie for 20th. Davin Dorrell (89) and Ethan Hayes (92) rounded out the four golfers to make up the team score.