In the first look this season at a frequently played course, Platte County found reason for optimism at the top of the lineup while testing depth at the bottom. The Pirates were 12th out of 19 full teams in Monday’s Tom Stout Invitational while competing against mostly larger schools.
Set for a return to Class 3 District 4, Platte County sophomore Naomi Loehner (t-20th, 23-over 95) and junior Ainsley Habel (t-32nds, 29-ove 101) led the way on the Posse Course at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville. The Pirates don’t have any returning state qualifiers on the roster but do have more options for this season’s lineup.
Loehner, Habel, and juniors Finnley Dougan and Grace Gaspers all played the Class 4 District 4 tournament last season.
In addition to Loehner and Habel, Dougan also played Monday but carded a 118 and did not factor into Platte County’s team score of 429. Instead, sophomore Madison Dunn (117) and freshman Delayna Noller (116) made varsity debuts and finished just ahead in a bunched trio.
Loehner finished with three pars on a consistently challenging course that regularly hosts district tournaments. However, Class 3 District 4 goes to Hoots Hollow Golf Course in Pleasant Hill this fall.
Park Hill South 202, Platte County 210, Park Hill 213
The Pirates finished right in the middle of the three-team Platte County Showdown on Wednesday at Tiffany Greens Golf Course in Kansas City.
Loehner earned medalist honors with a 9-over 45, highlighted with a birdie on the par three No. 4. She finished one shot clear of Park Hill senior Jillian Theys.
Platte County’s score also included Habel (51), while senior Lila Sedlacek and Gaspers shot matching 57s. The Pirates’ actually brought two full teams with Dougan also in the top five.
