The breakthrough might not have occurred yet, but the push continues.
Platte County turned in another solid team score of 418 in Monday’s home Pirate Invitational at Shiloh Springs Golf Course, placing the Pirates fifth out of nine full teams. They placed two individuals in the top 20 and continued to show progress for the small group playing behind the current leading duo on an inexperienced roster.
Park Hill (355) and Kearney (359) were the top two teams, but Platte County came in just two strokes back of fourth-place Smithville.
Platte County freshman Naomi Loehner matched a career-low score with a 99, closing her 18-hole round with three straight pars. She tied for 12th, while senior Grace Handke, the lone returner from last season’s lineup and a state qualifier last fall, posted a 103 with a birdie at No. 10 to earn a spot in a tie for 18th.
Outside of the No. 1 and No. 2 players, Platte County continues to see competition for the final three spots in the lineup and consistency. Grace Gaspers (107, 26th place) and Finnley Dougan (109, tied for 27th) — a pair of sophomores — rounded out the Pirates’ team score Monday. Gaspers made a pair of pars on par fives and made eight fives total, while Dougan bounced back and improved 10 shots from her recent showing in the Tom Stout Invitational. She made one par.
Platte County junior Lila Sedlacek posted the Pirates’ non-scoring round with a 113, tied for 32nd. However, she made a birdie at No. 17.
Coming into the season, Handke’s two seasons in the top five and Dougan’s limited varsity events as a freshman were Platte County’s only returning experience. The Pirates now head closer to the Suburban Conference White Division tournament and the postseason with just six players on the roster hoping to maximize results in tough circumstances.
Handke went to the Class 3 MSHSAA Golf Championships as a junior, but Platte County goes into this postseason as a Class 4 member. That will significantly increase the difficulty for advancing to state.
Smithville District Tuneup
Platte County tied for fourth with host Smithville in Wednesday’s opportunity to play The Posse Course at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, which hosts the Class 4 District 4 tournament next month.
The 423 for Platte County included Handke’s 95, just two strokes off her recently set career-best and good for 12th, plus Loehner’s 99. Handke finished alone in 12th, while Loehner came in 15th after posting a third straight 18-hole score of 99 — two coming on The Posse Course. She previously hit the mark in the Tom Stout Invitational.
Handke carded a birdie and three pars, while Loehner mostly avoided big numbers while recording a pair of pars. Dougan came in 25th with a 114, while Gaspers and Sedlacek were shot back in a tie for 26th with matching 115s.
Platte County has just one more 18-hole tournament and Wednesday’s senior night dual with Staley before conference and districts.
