JASON LAWRENCE
Special to The Citizen
Coming off its third straight team appearance in the Class 4 Sectional 4 Tournament, Park Hill is once again eyeing postseason success heading into the 2018 season.
With three of his four sectional qualifiers — the amount needed to post a team score at the sectional tournament — and four of his five golfers that competed in the Class 4 District 8 Tournament returning, Trojans coach Zach Dorrell understandably has high expectations.
Despite losing three-time state qualifier Kris Snodgrass, who tied for 15th last season to earn all-state honors, Park Hill will be led by three experienced upperclassmen in junior all-conference and all-district performer Ryan Graves and seniors Davin Dorrell and Randen Plattner.
Citizen file photo
Park Hill’s Davin Dorrell is one of three all-district golfers returning for the Trojans this spring.
Graves, who tied for 86th in his first appearance at the Class 4 Missouri State Golf Championships as a sophomore, Davin Dorell (tied for 44th at sectionals, 19th at districts) and Plattner (tied for 41st at sectionals, 25th at districts) helped the team to a seventh-place finish at sectionals after taking fourth in the district and narrowly missing sending the entire team to the sectional tournament. Sophomore Grant Schumacher finished five strokes back of advancing out of districts, placing 30th as a freshman.
At the top of the list of goals for Zach Dorrell and assistant coach Greg Reynolds, along with winning all of their home matches, is a Suburban Conference Gold Division title.
“(Our conference is) tough, but it’s all based on one-day results, so if you can get five guys to play solid, you have a chance,” said Zach Dorrell, who is entering his 20th season as a golf coach.
Zach Dorrell is expecting sophomore Cole Jones, junior Joey Keeth and freshman Vince King to vie for the fifth spot in the varsity lineup.
Park Hill opens the season March 19 at Drumm Farm Golf Club in Independence against Truman before taking part in a quad hosted by Park Hill South on March 21 at The Deuce at The National in Parkville.
The Trojans’ first home match will come April 5 in the Park Hill Darren Floyd Memorial Tournament at Tiffany Greens Golf Course.