Platte County still hasn’t seen its top two returners play well on the same day, but the reasons for optimism continue to grow.
NICK INGRAM/Citizen photo
Platte County freshman Logan Hessemeyer watches a tee shot during a nine-hole dual with North Kansas City on Monday, March 27 at Shiloh Springs Golf Course in Platte City.
In the second dual of the season, freshman Logan Hessemeyer led the Pirates to a victory over North Kansas City. He earned medalist honors with a 4-over 41 on Monday, March 27 at Shiloh Springs Golf Course, while the remaining four players were bunched together in a dominant victory.
Platte County posted a 180 to beat North Kansas City by 33 strokes. The Pirates lost their opening match of the year, ending a two-year winning streak in dual competition.
“It was a good day for the Pirates golf team,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “The boys are starting to put together some good scores that are adding notches in the win column. I was very pleased with how we played today and hope that we can continue this style of play as we move forward in the season.”
Depth started to show with Jack Laderoute, a junior, posting a 45 after a tough start to his season in a loss to Liberty North and Kearney. The final two scores came from a trio tied at 47, including senior Payton Boekhout. Austin Acord and Tanner Burkin, like Hessemeyer new to the top five, matched Boekhout’s score.
NICK INGRAM/Citizen photo
Platte County senior Payton Boekhout watches a putt roll toward the hole during the match during a nine-hole dual with North Kansas City on Monday, March 27 at Shiloh Springs Golf Course in Platte City.
With just two returning to the lineup, Hessemeyer, Acord and Burkin have a chance to contribute right away for the Pirates, who appear to have the order of the top five still in flux.
“As a team we are battling for positions on the varsity team during every match,” Short said. “The lineup for the team will most definitely be moving constantly because of the closeness of the scores that are being produced.”
Platte County was scheduled to start tournament play Wednesday, March 29 in the Winnetonka Invitational. So far, the Pirates have played one 18-hole triangular and one nine-hole dual, but this offers the first chance to stack up the lineup with some of Kansas City’s large teams in a full tournament.
Klint Andrews Invitational
For the second time in two tournaments, Park Hill South’s Zach Bischler just missed a medalist spot in a big tournament. The Panthers’ No. 1 shot a 9-over 81 on Monday, March 27 at Fred Arbanis Golf Course in Kansas City, Mo. to finish tied for 16th.
The top 15 players earned medals.
Park Hill South also lacked consistency as a team, finishing with a team total of 368. The Panthers were 13th out of 20 teams in the final standings and did not have another player in the top 50.
Park Hill lacked the top-level finisher and ended up with a 351 — good for ninth in the team standings, one shot ahead of St. Joseph Central.
Randen Plattner led Park Hill with an 84, part of a three-way tie for 20th. Ryan Graves (87), Davin Dorrel (89) and Grant Schumacher (91) rounded out the team score for the Trojans — all in the top 50.
Park Hill continued to play without projected No. 1 Kris Snodgrass, out with an injury early in the season.
Liberty North 329, Park Hill South 366, Raymore-Peculiar 368, Park Hill 376
The Panthers were second in a quad Wednesday, March 22 at The Deuce in Parkville, Mo. behind Bischler’s 83.
The 18-hole competition ended with Bischler the No. 3 individual behind medalist Drew Neuerburg (77) and Caleb Davis (81) — Liberty North teammates. The Eagles recorded four of the top five scores to run away with the victory.
Park Hill’s Plattner was sixth with an 89, but the Trojans had only two scores under 100. Park Hill South’s Chris Walker was eighth with a 91, while Park Hill’s Dorrell tied for ninth with a 92.