READY TO POUNCE

By Bill Knust

Matt Frye/Sun News
Park Hill South junior Chris Reinert takes a swing on No. 2 at Liberty Hills Country Club during district play Wednesday, April 30. Reinert tied with Blue Springs’ Jon Nance for the Class 2 District 8 title. The Panthers took home the team title, and have their sights set on the Class 2 state title.

The wind whipped around and scores sailed, but when it counted, Park Hill South High’s boys golf team came away with a Class 4 District 8 title, firing a team score of 316.

The Panthers put four players in the top 10 on Wednesday, April 30, at Liberty Hills Country Club, and junior Chris Reinert tied with Blue Springs’ John Nance for medalist honors, firing a 77.

“On the front nine I just played par golf except for a couple of bogeys I had on the par threes, but on the back I had to grind it out just to come away with a 40,” Reinert said. “It was windy, but it was really nice out.”

Reinert said the Panthers’ experience playing in the conditions at Liberty Hills paid off. The wind, while a factor, did not mess with the players’ minds.

Last year, the Panthers’ district tournament did not go as well in rainy conditions, and head coach Larry Torgerson did not even want to remember the past heading into the tournament this year. It all became an afterthought when senior Ben Sumada putted in his last stroke on No. 18 to card an 80. The Panthers received some competition, though. Blue Springs finished runner-up with a team score of 319, while Liberty shot a 320.

“It is great because all our players are going to state this year, and last year we just had one player,” Brandon Bowman said. “We didn’t even play our best today and we still won.”

That has the Panthers encouraged heading into the state tournament Monday, May 12, and Tuesday, May 13, at Island Green Golf Course in Republic. While the other three state courses run a tad over 6,500 yards in length, Island Green measures out at 5,773 yards, putting a premium on accuracy and putting.

That does not have Sumada scared, though. He is expecting big things from his team.

“I think we can win this,” Sumada said. “I think Glendale and Rockhurst should give us some competition. I think we are capable of shooting in the 290s or even the 280s.”

Sports writer Bill Knust can be reached at 389-6605 or billknust@npgco.com.