Ella Green added another credential to her accomplished career, earning an overall tournament victory and taming one of the troublesome courses in the process.
Platte County junior Grace Handke hits a putt during a triangular with Park Hill and Park Hill South on Wednesday at Tiffany Greens Golf Course in Kansas City.
On Monday, Platte County’s senior star shot a 4-over 76 on The Posse course at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville to win Oak Park’s Tom Stout Invitational. She finished one shot clear of Liberty North’s Gabby Vineyard and posted the lowest score in a field of more than 80 individuals.
Platte County posted a team 409 and finishes seventh in the final team standings. The Pirates were 37 shots better in their second 18-hole tournament of the season than in the Wildcat Invitational a week earlier.
In addition to Green, Platte County junior Grace Handke (106), senior Izzie Grell (112) and junior Emma Mizell (113) also factored in the final team score. All four return with varsity experience, as does senior Macie Garland, who posted a 121.
“We had a much better day on today’s round,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “The team took advantage of the down week last week to tune up on the fundamentals and it paid off today.
“We have seen lots of up and down golf and as soon as we can become a little more consistent we will see our scores continue to drop. We are making strides in the right direction and will continue to work on the fundamentals to improve our game.”
Green brings the most experience as a fourth-year starter, three-time qualifier for the Class 3 MSHSAA Golf Championships and an all-state performer as a junior — just the second in Platte County history to achieve that feat. Handke also played in last year’s postseason for the Pirates, who missed a team state berth a year ago but still sent three individuals.
Park Hill South 167, Park Hill 186, Platte County 194
Green earned medalist honors with a 1-under 35 in a nine-hole triangular Wednesday at Tiffany Greens Golf Course in Kansas City.
Platte County finished third as a team with Grell (49), Garland (51) and Mizell (59) the other scoring players. Handke shot a 61 as the Pirates’ No. 5 in this event.
