Wildcat golf kicks off season with pair of tournaments

Louisburg senior Carter Stuteville watches a tee shot last Tuesday during the Osawatomie Invitational.

SPRING HILL — It has been tough start to the season for the Louisburg golf team.

The Wildcats, who already started their 2023 campaign a little later than normal, saw their first tournament of the season rained out.

Louisburg was finally able to hit the links last week with a pair of tournaments, including the Frontier League Invitational at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course on Thursday in Spring Hill.

The Wildcats finished sixth in the Frontier League tournament with a 390. Tonganoxie won the league crown with a 357.

Sophomore Sam Frederick led Louisburg as he carded a 94 and finished in a tie for 14th. Senior Nick Lancaster was right behind him in 16th with a 95.

Senior Carter Stuteville was third on the Louisburg team with a 97 and was 22nd overall. Josh Holtzen (104), Garrison Bloustine (110) and Cole Mynsted (112) took 29th, 33rd and 37th, respectively.

Louisburg sophomore Sam Frederick chips onto the green last Tuesday in Osawatomie.

“I think having three of our top four scores in the 90s was good for what was a windy day at Sycamore,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “Many of the players are striking the ball well, but their short games need some work. That will be the main concentration for the weeks to come.”

That was the second tournament on the week for Louisburg as it opened its season Tuesday at the Osawatomie Invitational. 

The Wildcats use Osawatomie Golf Course for practice, but it wasn’t as kind to them this time around. Louisburg shot a 376 and took 14th overall.

“Osawatomie always plays tough due to the small fast greens,” Burns said. “I was hoping for our team score to be in the 360s and not 370s.”

Lancaster led the Wildcats with an 89, while Stuteville was second on the team a 91. Frederick carded a 97 and Mynsted tallied a 99.

Bloustine and Jackson Olson rounded out the Wildcat team with a 109 and 119, respectively.

Louisburg will try and bounce back this Monday as it competes in the rescheduled Paola Invitational. Tee time is set for 2 p.m. at Paola Country Club.