AN SNC GOLF “4-PEAT”

AN SNC GOLF “4-PEAT” Smith shoots 70, carries on Sutton tradition

Mustang program under coach Randy Ahrens has had 4 straight conference champions

The Sutton boys golf program, under the direction of coach Randy Ahrens, has built a tradition of winning when it comes to the Southern Nebraska Conference golf championships. Ahrens has coached a player to the past four individual championship wins in the tournament, with the most recent being Sutton freshman, Myles Smith.

Smith claimed the 2026 SNC crown with an even-par 70 at the Hebron Country Club Thursday, May 7, holding off Milford’s Zephyr Mowinkel by two strokes, just two days after Mowinkel claimed the Sutton Invite individual title over Smith May 5.

With Smith’s conference title, he became the fourth Sutton winner in the past four seasons, as Jadyn Friesen claimed the SNC crown in 2023, and 2025, while Harrison Herndon won the title in 2024.

Smith shot even par throughout the day, carding scores of 35 during each of the two nine-hole rounds. Mowinkel opened play with a 35, but shot two-over-par on the back nine to end the day with a 72.

Sutton, as a team, placed third with a collective 343. Milford claimed an easy team title over second-place Superior, as the Eagles outscored the Wildcats 319-335.

Senior Carson Cline was a top-15 medalist for Ahrens and his teammates, shooting an 86 during the two ninehole rounds. Cline carded scores of 43 on both rounds of the tournament.

Tristan Griess ended the day with a 93, with scores of 48 and 45. Eduardo Valenzuela shot scores of 47 during both rounds to finish play with a 94, while Harrison Schurman opened with a 55 on the front side, but trimmed 15 strokes off of his score on the back nine to shoot a 40 and finish the day with a 95.

Sutton was to return to Hebron Wednesday, May 13, for the Thayer Central Invitational, before entering the Class C-4 District meet at the Southern Hills Golf Course southwest of Hastings on Monday, May 18.

The meet is slated to begin at 9 a.m. with a strong field of 16 teams set to compete.

Teams in the C-4 meet include: the host Adams Central Patriots, Arcadia/Loup City, Central City, Centura, Doniphan-Trumbull, Gibbon, Grand Island Central Catholic, H&H, Kearney Catholic, Minden, Ord, Sandy Creek, St. Paul, Superior, Sutton, and Wood River.

Team Scores: Milford 319, Superior 335, Sutton 343, David City 347, Sandy Creek 356, Thayer Central 357, H&H 364, Fairbury 365, Fillmore Central 372, Centennial 403.