Platte County endured the ups and downs in the opening week typical for an inexperienced lineup with enough talent to be optimistic but still inconsistent with results.
Platte County senior Parker Amos hits a shot from the rough during the Winnetonka Invitational on Wednesday at Hodge Park Golf Course in Kansas City.
The full range of takeaways were evident in Thursday’s triangular at Adams Pointe Golf Club in Blue Springs. Grain Valley ended up with a winning team total of 181, finishing exactly one stroke in front of both Platte County and Kearney with matching 182s. The Pirates would have ended up with the victory but frustratingly senior Jackson Gabbert ended up disqualified for singing his card for an incorrect score.
The correct score would have been enough to put Platte County in first. Yet, the positives were evident for the Pirates on a windy afternoon with sophomore Josh Knickman claiming individual medalist honors with a 40. That came with senior third-year No. 1 Parker Amos shooting a 46.
Platte County’s team score also included freshman Braden Hendee making his varsity debut with a 46, while sophomore Ben Gillilan shot a 50. The Pirates also used sophomore Josh Gentilia (55) in the six-golfer lineup and only the top four scores counting toward the team total.
Going into the season, Platte County returned only Amos and Gabbert with experience but has early leaned on a deep class of sophomores while starting to look at freshmen, as well, to rebuild the lineup.
Winnetonka Invitational
A day earlier, Amos carded an impressive 4-over 76 to lead Platte County’s third-place team effort at Hodge Park Golf Course in Kansas City.
Knickman also earned a medal with an 84, putting him in a tie for 10th. Gabbert ended up two shots back in a tie for 11th with an 86, while Gillilan rounded out the team score of 335 with with his 89 (19th).
Platte County senior Jackson Gabbert hits a putt during the Winnetonka Invitational on Wednesday at Hodge Park Golf Course in Kansas City.
“We had a pretty good day today,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “The team is starting to string a few shots together and are producing some quality scores. Our younger players are getting a crash course in tournament golf and are adjusting well. Our senior leadership from Amos and Gabbert have helped these young players through the process.”
Gentilia shot a 98 and finished in 34th as part of the current top five.
This marked Platte County’s second tournament in three days. The team next hosts the Pirate Scramble on Monday at Shiloh Springs Golf Course with three two-golfer teams to be used, meaning Hendee could likely get another look in the unique format.
Klindt Andrews Memorial Tournament
On Tuesday, Platte County received an important early look at the lineup in the season-opener Monday at Fred Arbanas Golf Course in Lee’s Summit.
Amos led the way but with a 10-over 82 but finished in a tie for 27th but only missed a top-15 medal by three shots in a deep and talented field. The Pirates only had two scores in the 80s, one in the 90s and two in the 100s while placing 16th out of 26 teams with a 367.
“Not too bad of a showing to start the season off,” Short said. “We were eager to get out on the course and compete with other teams. The team started out a little rough with the morning temps being low and the layers of clothes being high. As the temperatures started to rise, our scores began to fall. We finished the day strong and showed some potential for future events. The team is a good mix of veterans and rookies new to competitive golf.”
Knickman made his varsity debut for Platte County with an 86 and tied for 37th, while Gabbert put up a 95 and tied for 72nd. Gentilia (104, tied for 86th) and Gillilan (105, tied for 91st) also received their first chance to play in the top five after the Pirates graduated three seniors from last year’s team.
