Golfers take 3rd at regionals, head to state

Placing third of five golf teams at regionals Monday in Salina, Hillsboro’s earned a chance to tee off at the state golf tournament for the second year in a row.

“Obviously, I am pleased with the third place team finish and an opportunity to return to the 2A state tournament,” coach Scott O’Hare said. “However, aside from Elias [Werth] shooting his career low round, I don’t think anyone else is really pleased with the score that they posted.  Luckily, they did enough to earn another shot next week.  This entire group seems to be so close to breaking through.” 

Werth shot 84 to place 11th of 35 golfers. Elliot Ollenburger was 16th with a 92, Colin Settle and Joe Knoll tied for 21st, each with 96, Caroline Roth shot a 101 to place 23rd, and Carson Herbel placed 25th with a 105.

Over the season, Ollenburger shot a couple rounds in the low 80s, Werth shot two rounds in the low to mid 80s, while Roth, Herbel, and Knoll have all shot in the upper 80s, with Settle scoring very close to that mark multiple times, O’Hare said. 

“If they could all just eliminate a couple bad shots or bad holes, and if they can do it on the same day, this team has great potential to post very solid scores,” O’Hare said. “It is just a matter of playing with confidence, eliminating some of the nerves and tension, and just playing golf. I know it is easier said than done, but if they can do that, I think this team could have a solid state tournament.”

The Trojans will play Monday in Garden City.   

“This entire group seems to be so close to breaking through.”
-scott o’hare