SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
McPHERSON, Kan. — Buhler captured the Class 4A regional golf championship on Monday at Turkey Creek Golf Course, edging out a competitive field behind a balanced team effort and a clutch playoff performance from senior Zach Chance.
Buhler posted a team score of 321 to secure the regional title. Clearwater’s low total of 101 did not count in the team standings due to having just two golfers. Pratt and Concordia tied for second at 332, but the Greenbacks earned the runner-up trophy by virtue of the better fifth score, Hudson Rector's 89, compared to Concordia's Baylor Knox with a 96.
Zach Chance led the Crusaders with an 2-over-par 72 and claimed medalist honors after winning a two-hole playoff over Abilene’s Aaron Hartman. Buhler also received top-15 finishes from Drew DeMeyer (79), Isaiah Heredia (85), Nick Chance (85), and James Dingler (85), while Jace Heimerman rounded out the team score with an 89.
Pratt’s Grant McAtee was third individually with a 73, followed by Quinton Humble (84), Beau Ferrell (87), Mathew Garnett (88), and Rector (89).
McPherson finished fourth in the team standings with a 340. Cole Cooper led the Bullpups with a 76, good for fourth place individually and a state qualification as one of the top five individual finishers not on a qualifying team. Paxton Ingels added an 85, Hudson Krehbiel shot 88, Kameron Buckbee posted 91, and Lawson Ediger carded a 99. Teigan Younger shot 107.
Joining Cooper as individual state qualifiers from non-advancing teams were Hartman (Abilene), Lane Stand (Hugoton, 79), Paxton Ingels (McPherson, 85), and Presley Borgerding (Clay Center, 85).