Without the optimal start and finish, Platte County Grace Handke still ended up with a positive experience as the lone honoree on the Pirates’ senior night Wednesday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course.
Platte County freshman Naomi Loehner hits a tee shot during a dual with Staley on Wednesday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course.
Platte County earned a comfortable dual win over over Staley. Handke ended up tied with sophomore teammate Ainsley Habel for second with a total of 52 on nine holes. The Pirates posted the top four individual scores and posted a 221. Staley ended up with a 262.
A returning state qualifier, Handke continues to lead a small six-player roster continuing to show improvement during a challenging rebuild season.
“The team played well and came away with a win,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “We were very excited to celebrate Grace Handke on her four-year career with our team as she is the lone senior this season. We are very blessed to have her leadership and attitude on our team. She is an amazing role model for all.”
Honored before and after the round, Handke opened with a tee shot into the water on the first but recovered to card a double bogey on the par four. She ended up with a pair of pars after a struggle on the opening two holes.
Platte County freshman Naomi Loehner also started slow but ended up as the medalist, also with two pars. Loehner and Handke were both at 14 strokes after the first two holes. The Pirates’ team total also included Habel and sophomore Grace Gaspers (57).
Platte County sophomore Grace Gaspers hits a putt during a dual with Staley on Tuesday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course.
This marked the final competition before Monday’s Suburban Conference White Division Championships at Eagles’ Landing Golf Course in Belton. Platte County finished second to Grain Valley each of the past two seasons with Handke earning all-conference honors both times. She’s the only returner for the Pirates, who graduated four seniors and endured additional roster attrition in the offseason.
Platte County sophomore Finnley Dougan, who shot a 64 on Wednesday and didn’t factor in the team score against Staley, played limited rounds on varsity last year. She has been a regular in the lineup along with all of the newcomers, which includes junior Lila Sedlacek.
Liberty North Invitational
Platte County struggled to a team total of 460 in Monday’s Liberty North Invitational at Winterstone Golf Course in Independence.
In the final 18-hole competition before conference, Handke led the way with a 96. She made two of her four pars early and ended up tied for 31st in a field of 87 players. Loehner (69th, 117), Gaspers (tied for 78th, 122) and Dougan (83rd, 126) rounded out the Pirates’ team score.
“This was not the best round by far for any of us today,” Short said. “We had a lot of ups and downs during the round, but the downs seemed to get the best of us today. It is a tough course and takes a lot of energy to walk. This plays a factor in the results sometimes. We have some areas to focus on in the next couple of weeks to prepare for the postseason.”
