Bigger challenges await, but Platte County gave an emphatic first impression for the potential of a balanced lineup. The Pirates’ put their four scoring players in the top 10 and ran away with the team title in The Winnetonka Invitational on Thursday at Hodge Park Golf Course in Kansas City.
Platte County posted a score of 306 and came in 20 strokes clear of runnerup St. Pius X.
“What a great way to start off the tournament circuit of our season,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “The team played well and took full advantage of the winds and course today. They were able to get into great positions to allow them opportunities to score well. We still have areas that we will be working on to fine tune their game, but as for now we are playing pretty well.”
Platte County senior Braden Hendee led the way, posting the lowest round of his already accomplished career to earn the individual title. He shot an even-par 72, two strokes better than a 2-over round he recorded in the Class 4 MSHSAA Golf Championships that nearly resulted in all-state honors.
Kearney’s Carter Brock came in second overall.
Platte County dominated the next part of the leaderboard with sophomore Jack Dillingham tied for third with a 5-over 77, sophomore Nick Cangelosi fifth with a 6-over 78 and junior Brayden Renno tied for sixth with a 6-over 79. The Pirates came into the season with three returning state qualifiers but only used two in Thursday’s lineup.
Hendee and Renno have both went to state each of the past two years, while sophomore Kaplan Curtis turned in a strong postseason to help Platte County tie for third at Class 4 District 4. All five players made the individual cut to earn the Pirates’ first team berth to state in more than two decades.
Dillingham played much of last season in the top five but missed out on the postseason due to a scheduling conflict.
Platte County’s lineup at Hodge Park also included junior Braylon Gates, who shot a 99. The Pirates used junior Asher Hitzelberger and sophomores Jack Rolfes, Reid Fraccascia, Bryson Hevalow and Curtis as a second team in this first tournament.
Hevalow led the second group with a 90.
Grain Valley 154, Platte County 158, Kearney 179
The Pirates received an early look at the reigning Suburban Conference White Division Championships during a triangular Wednesday at Adams Point Golf Course in Blue Springs.
Each team used six players with only the top four counting toward the overall score, per normal procedure. Hendee led Platte County with a 37, while Renno and Dillingham posted matching 39s. Cangelosi rounded out the Pirates’ total with a 44 with Gates (45) and Curtis (46) right behind.
“Not a bad first round of the season, but we did get to battle the wind the entire round,” Short said. “This was not only a good test of your golfing skills, but also course management with strong winds. The team did a great job of making adjustments on the fly and produced some quality results.”
