Platte County brings back the majority of last season’s roster but must replace the unquestioned leader and No. 1 player that steadied an inexperienced lineup. However, the Pirates might immediately benefit from a potential move back down to Class 3 without the need for a major overhaul.
“We expect to lean on our returning players to make another run for the conference championship after falling just short last year,” said Kevin Janssen, entering his first season as head coach after eight years as an assistant at Platte County. “The key to success will be putting in the work on the little things each day and staying focused on the end goal.”
In 2025, Platte County ended up with only six players total, and all contributed at certain portions of the season. The Pirates were bumped up to Class 4 in an unforgiving postseason assignment that proved difficult after incorporating so many new players behind Grace Handke, a three-time All-Suburban Conference White Division performer and 2024 qualifier for the Class 3 MSHSAA Golf Championships.
Now, Platte County senior Lila Sedlacek; juniors Finnley Dougan, Grace Gaspers and Ainsley Habel; plus sophomore Naomi Loehner all have significant experience. All five were essentially new to the lineup last fall with Dougan making a few appearances at the varsity level as a freshman.
Loehner ended up playing as Platte County’s No. 2 and even earned all-conference honors after tying for eighth as a freshman. The Pirates were second to Grain Valley in the team standings for a third straight year.
Dougan (tied 11th, 108) and Habel (tied 14th, 109) were honorable mention all-conference performers while Gaspers needed up part of a three-way tie for 16th with a 112 and missing out on that distinction by just three strokes.
The same five players made up the postseason lineup.
With only Handke back from a 2024 team that just missed a state berth, Platte County struggled to a 475 and finished 12th out of 15 full teams in Class 4 District 4. Handke tied for 38th with a 106, while Loehner (46th, 111), Dougan (57th, 120) and Gaspers (66th, 138) rounded out the team score but were also well off the individual cut line to advance to state.
Habel finished four shots back of Gaspers.
This marked Platte County’s first season without a state qualifier since 2019. The top two teams at districts automatically advance four players, while the next 13 individual players not from those teams, including ties, also earn a spot. If a state-qualifying team’s fifth score falls in the top 13 individuals or within 10 strokes of the individual cut line, that player also qualifies and does not count toward the top 13 individuals.
In addition to the five returners, Platte County’s roster grew to include junior Elliana Burress, sophomore Maddison Dunn and freshmen Rylee Eisenbrei, Delayna Noller and Holland Porschen.
“The coaching staff is excited about the growth we are seeing already with our players and look forward to seeing some of our newcomers challenge the returners to push themselves each day,” said Janssen, who takes over the girls and boys programs this school year after the retirement of veteran head coach Trevor Short this past spring.
The difference between Class 3 and Class 4 can prove significant. For example, Handke finished 18th at districts with a 106 as a junior and earned a state berth. She came in 30th as a sophomore and helped the Pirates finish third as a team and just miss a team berth.
Handke shot a 110-105—215 at Class 3 state as a junior at Springfield’s Rivercut Golf Course.
