Platte County appears to have a new No. 1 in the lineup, but veteran coach Trevor Short continues to assess a deep group of potential contributors in the early part of what ultimately ends up being a short season.
Platte County junior Josh Gentilia hits a putt during the Pirate Scramble Invitational on Monday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course.
The Pirate Scramble Invitational provided a perfect opportunity Monday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course. Each team put together three duos for the unique format with each player hitting a shot and then using the better of the two outcomes.
Platte County ended up placing fourth with a 143 in a tight team race. The top two scores counted, and Rockhurst ultimately took the top spot (130) with Smithville (134) and Kearney (141) also finishing in front of the hosts, who were one shot better than fifth-place Park Hill South (143) and four in front of sixth-place Oak Park (146).
Perhaps most importantly, Platte County juniors Josh Knickman and Josh Gentilia earned medals, tying for eighth with a 2-under 69. Knickman and Gentilia are two of four returners with varsity experience, but Gentilia did not make the top five in the first tournament of the year.
Knickman has played as a solid No. 2 for Platte County behind emerging sophomore Braden Hendee, who teamed with junior Ben Gillilan to finish in a three-way tie for 13th at 73. The Pirates ended up with two of teams in that spot with junior Evan Sedlacek and freshman Brayden Renno also shooting 2-over on the par-71 setup.
“The players were out there posting some quality scores,” Short said. “The scramble is a great way for kids to play a different game of golf. During the scramble, the players can strategize with each other for the best results. During our regular matches players are not allowed to communicate strategies with teammates on the course.
Platte County junior Ben Gillilan hits a chip during the Pirate Scramble Invitational on Monday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course.
“We had a few challenging shots, but we also had some amazing ones as well. We are very proud of how hard the team is working and pushing each other to be the best golfers possible. The team may have a tight race to see which five will represent the Pirates in the postseason.”
With the benefit of being on the home course, Platte County ended up fielding three total teams, as well, with 18 total players competing. The Pirates’ “C team” placed 11th at 163 with the “B team” right behind at 165. Both finished in front of North Kansas City, Blue Springs and Truman.
Platte County freshmen Braylon Gates and Chase Hulett were the top placers behind the varsity, shooting a 77 and tying for 20th. The Pirates have used eight players on varsity this year with juniors Brogan Miller and Meritt Bigus seeing action in a dual last week.
Park Hill Invitational
Hendee earned a top-15 finish in Thursday’s tournament at Tiffany Greens Golf Club in Kansas City.
Playing in a field of top competition, Platte County placed 12th as a team but shot a solid 345 on the par 72 setup. Knickman (84, tied for 31st), Gentilia (88, tied for 49th) and Gillilan (94, tied for 70th) also factored in the team scoring, while Renno played the No. 5 spot.
Platte County freshman Brayden Renno hits a tee shot during the Pirate Scramble Invitational on Monday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course.
“The team had some ups and downs out on the course today, but not all of them were the good kind,” Short said. “We are still in the learning and development process of the players, and it will take a little time to get them to the consistency level that it will take to move on to the postseason play. We do see lots of quality shots; it is just putting more of those quality shots back to back. We are still in the process of getting players some more playing time so we can put the best five players out on the course.”
Hendee, Knickman, Gentilia and Gillilan all spent time in the top five for Platte County last spring, although Gillilan ended up squeezed out of the postseason lineup behind a pair of now-graduated seniors.
So fart this season, Hendee has put up Platte County’s low score in all three tournaments and the lone quad. He has moved into the No. 1 role Parker Amos — a two-time state qualifier — occupied for the previous three seasons.
