Park Hill’s Gavin Schaag is looking to end his senior year on a high note after impressive football and basketball seasons.
KANSAS CITY – Park Hill is going to use having multi-sport athletes on the roster to its advantage this golf season.
All of Park Hill’s varsity level golfers have familiarity in athletics – some even being three-sport athletes. Losing three-time state qualifier Baker Fredal, the Trojans have looked to junior Zachary Cato for leadership.
“Zach is our team captain and does an outstanding job of not only leading by example, but he’s also working with some of the other players when they have questions,” Park Hill head boys’ golf coach Zach Dorrell said.
Sophomore Alejandro Magana will be the No. 1 for Park Hill, followed by Cato and seniors Gavin Schaag and Ethan Howell. The fifth spot is still up for grabs with some friendly competition between juniors John King, Gage Dorrell, Aedan McBride and Cameron Jones.
“Everyone’s gotten better since last year so we should be able to compete better than we did last year as a team. Right now, we’re trying to get back into kind of golf shape and getting into the routine of playing and practicing,” Dorrell said.
Cato is the only Trojan who has state exposure, tying for 32nd place at the 2023 Class 5 State Tournament. Park Hill is putting winning conference as the first goal, something the program hasn’t experienced in 15 years.
“We’re also trying to place top-five in all the tournaments we participate in. I’m surprised how many kids I have that play more than just golf; they’re multi-sport athletes, which is kind of uncommon in golf, especially nowadays so it’s going to hopefully help down the road competing,” Dorrell said.