Panthers dominate home tournament

Battling winds gusting over 40 miles per hour, the Concordia High School golf team had the top five individual medalists on the way to winning its invitational golf tournament Monday at Concordia Golf and Wellness.

Junior Lennon Ninemire earned medalist honors in the tournament with an 80.

“Lennon had a good day and struck the ball well from tee to green. Though he was a little disappointed with a few shots,” Concordia coach Gene Rundus said.

Concordia junior Luke Donovan and senior Lewis VanMeter each shot 81 and tied for second.

Donovan placed second based on a tiebreaker and VanMeter was third.

Luke Donovan stayed out of trouble all day and had another quality finish,” Rundus said. “Lewis played well in his final competition as a Panther. Additionally, in just his second year, Parker Teel had another strong showing on his home course.”

Panther junior Karson Lister finished fourth with an 83 and senior Parker Teel was fifth with an 84.

Concordia also had junior Andrew Henderson place ninth with an 89.

“Karson Lister had some clutch tee shots today and Andrew Henderson rose to the challenge of another varsity tournament,” Rundus said.

The Panthers posted a team score of 325. Wamego was second with a 358 and Marysville was third with a 362.

“It was a windy Monday, but the guys are getting used to playing in less than ideal conditions. Their familiarity with the course was a real asset today, and I was proud of all six of our varsity members medaling in the top 10,” Rundus said.

The junior varsity players for Concordia, and their scores include: Coleman Plymesser, 92; Peyton Retter, 104; Trent Peltier, 109; Max Johnson, 112; and Draydin Chartier, 138.

Concordia played in its third tournament in seven days.

The Panthers placed fourth in the Wamego Invitational last Friday with a score of 352.

Wamego won the tournament with a 308. Sabetha was second with a 333 and Clay Center was third with a 349.

Ninemire led Concordia with an 85.

“Lennon’s  ball striking was very good today, but like the other guys, he missed some opportunities around the greens,” Rundus said.

Lister posted an 88 for the Panthers.

VanMeter shot an 89 and Donovan rounded out the top four with a 90.

Conditions were good today, but we never got in rhythm,” Rundus said. “The back nine is pretty tight in places and we lost some balls in lateral hazards, so obviously those penalty strokes add up.”

Cash Foltz, Wamego, was the individual medalist with a 73.

Concordia finished fourth in the Abilene Invitational played on April 16 at Stagg Hill Golf Course in Manhattan.

The Panthers finished with a score of 357.

Circle won the tournament with a 315. Wamego was second with a 351 and Marysville was third with a 356.

Donovan shot an 83 and tied for ninth place with Conner Chadwell of Circle. He placed 10th based on the tiebreaker.

Ninemire finished with an 86.

Teel and Lister each shot 94.

Henderson posted a 105.

“We weren’t bad, but we were a few strokes off today and it cost us,” Rundus said. “It was another windy day and though the guys battled, there was definitely some mental and physical fatigue from playing back-to-back days in extremely windy conditions.”

Anderson Helmer, Circle, the defending Class 4A individual state champion, won the tournament with a 72.