The result provides positive reenforcement, but Platte County wants to continue pushing for lower scores, not just placements. The Pirates finished second in Monday’s Oak Park Invitational on The Posse Course at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, but the team total 403 came up well short of their season-best.
Park Hill finished first with a 376, while Platte County wound up three shots better than third-place Kearney.
“We are pleased with the second-place finish, but we did not play up to our potential today,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “For some reason, we never have our best results on The Posse”course. Luckily, we do not have any postseason events at the course. As we are getting closer to the postseason events, we are still trying to find the best combination of players to represent Platte County at the (Class 3 District 4 Tournament)
“The team has a few more events that will help in the decision-making process.”
Platte County continues to rely on an established and experienced top-three in the lineup.
A junior and two-time Class 3 Missouri State Golf Championships qualifier, Ella Green continues to be an unequivocal No. 1 but shot an 18-over 90 — still good enough for a medal and fifth-place finish to lead Platte County. Mackenzie Borland, one of the Pirates’ two seniors, came in six shots back of Green in a three-way tie for seventh, just in front of fellow senior Lily Ricketts, who tied for 10th with a 98.
Platte County has played four others in the top five this season.
On Monday, Platte County sophomore Grace Handke rounded out the team score with a 119, while junior Macie Garland shot a 125. The Pirates have also looked at sophomores Emma Mizell and Erin Anderson.
Platte County next plays Staley and St. Joseph Central in a triangular Wednesday at Staley Farms Country Club before hitting the stretch run next week ahead of the Class 3 District 4 tournament scheduled for October 6 in Jefferson City.
Park Hill 160, Platte County 180, Pembroke Hill 208
Green came in second out of 15 golfers to help the Pirates finish second in the triangular Wednesday at Tiffany Greens Golf Course in Kansas City.
Park Hill, one of the top Class 4 teams in the area, easily won the team battle with four of the top seven. Green helped break that up with a 2-over 38, while Ricketts wound up in a three-way tie for fifth at 42. Borland (44) and Handke (56) rounded out the Pirates’ team total, while Grell earned the chance to start and shot a 59.
