Smith off to state golf for Sutton, Cougars fall short of qualifying for state meet

Sandy Creek boys 9th, Sutton finishes11th in C-4 District golf team race

Weather conditions led to what many could call dismal to host a district golf tournament, but Monday, May 18, temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s throughout the C-4 District golf tournament, held at the Southern Hills Golf Course southwest of Hastings, along with rain and misty conditions, the field of 16 teams battled through the tough conditions, with Sutton and Sandy Creek amongst the field of teams.

When the tournament ended, Sutton freshman Myles Smith proved to be the lone state qualifier for the two county teams, finishing fourth overall, out of 12 individual qualifiers and three team qualifiers.

Smith opened the soggy day with a front nine 40, but battled back to shave off four strokes on the back nine, shooting a 36 to finish the day with an 18-hole 76, placing him fourth overall with his four-over par effort.

Adams Central’s Braeden Dyer claimed individual gold with a one-over, 73. St. Paul’s Jackson Wegner also shot a 73 to finish second, while Ord’s Caden Lytle placed third, just ahead of Smith with a twoover par, 74.

The Mustangs placed 11th a a team, combining to shoot a 370. Sandy Creek claimed the ninth-place spot as a team, shooting a combined 354.

Winning the top three spots, and automatic team qualifying spots in the C-4 tournament was Adams Central with a strong edge over St. Paul, as the Patriots outshot the Wildcats 305-323, while Kearney Catholic claimed the final team spot with a 327.

Sutton’s play was rounded out by freshman Harrison Schurman, who carded a 94, senior Carson Cline shot a 96, while Eduardo Valenzuela ended the day with a 104, and Tristan Griess, with a 110.

For the Cougars, who fell short of having a qualifier, Evan Swartzendruber shot an 82 to finish just two strokes shy of advancing to the state tournament. Keaton Corman and Gavin Fisher both fired scores of 85, while John Skalka shot a 102, and Kamerin Sealey finished with a 103.

Smith will take his game to Grand Island’s Indianhead Golf Course next week for the Class C state tournament, set to be played on Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28.

Team Scores: Adams Central 305, St. Paul 323, Kearney Catholic 327, Superior 334, Grand Island Central Catholic 338, Doniphan-Trumbull 349, Ord 349, Minden 352, Sandy Creek 354, Central City 362, Sutton 370, H&H 383, Arcadia/ Loup City 421, Wood River 437, Gibbon 465, Centura 481.