YATES CENTER — Jake Morrison bogeyed the first hole he played on his home course Monday to open the 2011 Kansas Sand Greens State Golf Tournament.
Then he birdied the second hole. By the end of the first nine holes of the 18-hole tournament, the Yates Center High senior was even — 36.
“I was comfortable playing on my home course but my swing wasn’t where I wanted it to start the tournament,” Morrison said after turning in a final of 70, two under par, and capturing the individual state championship.
“By the time I was playing the back nine, I had it straightened out and I was in the zone. It feels great to win a state championship.”
Morrison’s group was finished and waiting. He said he was hoping his teammates would play well enough to defend the team’s state title.
Unfortunately, Rock Hills High had a better day on the Yates Center Lakeside Golf Course and claimed the 2011 state team championship with a 318. Riley County took home the second-place trophy with a 326.
Yates Center claimed the third-place trophy with a 329. The Wildcats’ other senior Paul Stockebrand shot an 82 and won a playoff for the 10th-place medal.
Dylan Bauman finished with an 88 and Nick Schemper had an 89. Jaden Knoblock shot a 118.
“Rock Hills came in and shot lights out with three players in the 70s,” said YCHS golf coach Kevin Barnes. “Jake has finished third in the state two years in a row before this year.
“He kept hearing about Brandon Pool (who was second at 73) who shot four under par (32) on the front nine. Jake never got rattled and kept playing his game.”
Barnes said Stockebrand didn’t play as well as he wanted but finished with a birdie on the playoff hole for 10th place.
“With Dylan, Nick and Jaden coming back, next year is looking very promising,” Barnes said.
2011 Kansas High School
Sand Greens State Golf
Tournament
at Lakeside Golf Course
Yates Center
Team scores: Rock Hills 318, Riley County 326, Yates Center 329, Tipton 334, Sylvan-Lucas 335, LaCrosse 342.
Top 10 individuals
1. Jake Morrison, Yates Center, 70
2. Brandon Pool, Sylvan-Lucas, 73
3. Adam Horn, Rock Hills, 74
4. Tosh Taylor, Riley County, 75
5. Joe Zadina, Rock Hills, 77
6. Jacob Palen, Tipton, 79
7. Cole Huncovsky, Rock Hills, 79
8. John Burnett, Riley County, 80
9. Grady Brayton, Glasco, 81
10. (tie) Paul Stockebrand, Yates Center, 82 , Dylan Herold, Sylvan-Lucas, 82.
