Dillon shoots a 79 to qualify for state a second time
Louisburg sophomore Calvin Dillon watches his tee shot during the Class 4A regional tournament in Garnett last week. Dillon shot a 79 to finish fourth overall and qualified for his second straight state tournament.
GARNETT – On Monday, Calvin Dillon found himself on the same course where he shot a personal best score just a week earlier – Garnett Country Club.
However, this tournament featured much bigger stakes.
Dillon and the rest of the Louisburg golf team competed in the Class 4A regional tournament for the right to make it to state tournament. Although, the Wildcats weren’t able to make it as a team, Dillon earned a spot for the second straight season.
The Louisburg sophomore carded a 79 to finish fourth overall and qualified for state as an individual. The top two teams earn a spot in the state tournament along with the top five other individuals.
A week prior, Dillon recorded a 68 on the same course and shot 2-under par, but even though he regressed a little, he is just happy to get back to state.
“I don’t really think the course played any differently, but my short game was off,” Dillon said. “I couldn’t make a putt and didn’t get many chips close. But it is nice to be back at state and having a year under my belt will be beneficial.”
Senior Justin Sievert chips onto the green last Monday in Garnett.
The Garnett course wasn’t very kind to the rest of the Wildcat golfers as they shot 90 and above in their final meet of the season. As team, Louisburg shot a 368 and finished sixth overall. Fort Scott won the regional with a 328 and Ottawa was second with a 331.
“I was disappointed in our overall scored after we played so well at Prairie View four days before that,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “We will need to address that next season and learn how to build more confidence in the swing.”
Senior Justin Sievert finished second on the team at 17th overall with a 90 and fellow senior Grant Ryals was 26th with a 93. Sophomore Drake Varns (106), senior Parker Perentis (107) and sophomore Ryan Haight (112) rounded out the Wildcat team.
Louisburg senior Grant Ryals tries to chip onto the green during the Class 4A regional
As for Dillon, he will try for another state medal this Monday when he competes at the Class 4A tournament at Emporia Municipal Course. He will tee off at 10:20 a.m. and will start on hole No. 10.
Last season, Dillon shot an 80 at the Wamego Golf Course and took 10th overall and is hoping for even better results this time around.
“I’ve played Emporia multiple times during past summer golf events,” Dillon said. “I also recently practiced there in participation for state. Emporia is different than last year’s venue, being a more wide open course so the overall scoring will probably be lower.
“I’m hoping to beat my score of 80 that I posted last year and that I can finish better than 10th.”
Burns believes his No. 1 golfer has a chance to do just that.
“Calvin is hitting the ball great,” Burns said. “He shot one under, four over, and two over on our course recently. His driving and putting is great. Hopefully the pitch shots he hits will be closer to give him more of an advantage of getting birdies to get top 10 at the state tournament.”