Wamego happy to be at home

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 21, 2007 by Brent Maycock

By Brent Maycock

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

No matter where the Class 4A state golf meet was going to be held, Wamego coach Aaron Wertenberger felt his squad was going to be competitive.

The fact that the Red Raiders will get to shoot for their first state title on its home course today only adds to that confidence.

"We're hoping it's an advantage," Wertenberger said of the 4A meet being held at Wamego Country Club starting at 9 a.m. "You would think there'd be a few shots there for you. But when you get to the state level, there are just so many good golfers out there."

Wamego is coming off a regional title, winning the 4A meet at Holton last week by 13 strokes with a team score of 315. The total was one of the Red Raiders' best of the year, and Wertenberger was particularly pleased with it because it came on a course his squad was relatively unfamiliar with.

That won't be the case today with many of the Red Raiders having grown up literally on the Wamego course and saw its expansion from a nine- to 18-hole layout with two distinctly different sides.

Most of the front nine is fairly wide open, while the bulk of the back side cuts its way through trees in more of a links-style setting.

And that could be where the advantage might lie for the Red Raiders.

"It's definitely different, and having our kids play those holes more than anybody else (in the field), maybe our shot selection and club selection will be a factor," Wertenberger said. "If there is an advantage, it will be in course knowledge."

Wamego was led at regionals by Drew McCart's 74, which tied him for the low round. But arguably the strength of the Wamego squad is its balance.

At league, Dylan Francis and Will Clark were the two low scores. At other meets, it's been Tommy Woods, Parker Abel and Alex Bulk.

"We haven't relied on one guy to be that leader all year," Wertenberger said. "If we have a so-so day from one of them, it's not going to break us. They've just been a great group of kids that all get along together. And if they all step up and shoot what they're capable of, we'll be right there."

n Olpe could be in the hunt for the Class 1A title - the first year the 1A schools have had their own meet separate from 2A. The 1A meet will be held at the Hesston Golf Park.

The Eagles ran away with the regional title at Onaga, posting a 351 to win by 29 strokes. Senior Jordan Pargman led the way for the Eagles, shooting a 78 to win by three strokes.

For Olpe to win the title - and hand sentimental favorite Greensburg its first defeat of the season - the Eagles will need a good day from one of its final three. Tanner Coble (83) and Seth Pargman (85) each were top-four at regionals, but the Eagles' next- best score was in the 100s.

"We've been pretty consistent this year, and it was good to see Jordan play well at regionals," Olpe coach Chris Schmidt said. "Our four and five guys have come a long ways since the start of the year, but they'll have to step it up a notch again this week for us to have a chance to win state.

"Quivira Heights is another team that's going to be pretty decent. Their top three may not be up with ours, but their top six is pretty balanced. It comes down to that fourth and fifth guy that will be a difference in it."

n Sabetha won its Class 3A regional at Seneca and will be in contention at the 3A state meet at Cherry Oaks Golf Course in Cheney. Jerry Chase led the Bluejays at regionals with a 78 and three others were in the top 10.

n State host Riley County will be among the contenders at the Sand Greens meet at the Leonardville Golf Club. The Falcons had the top-three finishers at the Yates Center regional, led by regional champion Darren Hoffman.

n The 2A state meet will be held at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course with Frankfort the top area team competing.