Wildcat golf returns core from season ago

By Andy Brown
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Updated: April 2, 2016

Louisburg senior Hogan Welch qualified for the Class 4A state tournament last year and he his hoping for a repeat performance this season as he leads the Wildcat golf team. The Wildcats open their season Monday in Gardner.

It was toward the end of last May and Hogan Welch found himself on a golf course competing for a state medal.

Not a bad way to end his season.

Now a senior, Welch, and the rest of the Louisburg High School golf team, are hoping for the same type of finish this time around.

The Wildcat golfers have spent the last couple of weeks out at the links at Metcalf Ridge Golf Course getting the rust off in preparation of their season opener Monday at the Gardner Invitational.

“Practice has been good,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “Most of the junior varsity and varsity are making good contact with the ball at this time. We need more time working on the short game. The most problems we are having is when they come out of their spine angle to try to help the ball in the air and they hit it thin.”

Along with Welch, Louisburg returns two other varsity golfers from a year ago in senior T.J. Svoboda and junior Ty Martin. The three golfers helped put together a season in which the Wildcats won their home tournament and finished third in the Frontier League.

Welch, who shot a 79 at the state tournament in McPherson last year, is ready for another crack at it and Burns believes he can get there again.

“Hogan will play well as long as he gets warm before each meet,” Burns said. “I have only seen him struggle when we go out and play right off the bat.”

The Wildcats also add a few newcomers to the varsity lineup. Senior Anders Vance is out for his first year of golf and will be joined by juniors Jake Hill, Nick Welch and sophomore Justin Sievert.

Right out of the gate, Burns believes his players are strong off the tee and hopes to round their game as the season goes along.

“All golfers have different strengths,” Burns said. “But right now, it is driving the ball.”

Louisburg will begin its season at 9 a.m. on Monday when it competes at the Gardner-Edgerton Invitational at the Gardner Golf Course. The Wildcats will also host their home invitational at 1 p.m. on April 25.

2016 Louisburg High School Golf Schedule

Apr. 4 at Gardner-Edgerton 9 a.m.

Apr. 11 at Paola 3 p.m.

Apr. 19 at Osawatomie 1 p.m.

Apr. 21 at Spring Hill 8 a.m.

Apr. 25 Louisburg Invitational 1 p.m.

May 2 at Ottawa 2 p.m.

May 10 at Anderson County 1 p.m.

May 12 at Prairie View 1:30 p.m.