Kent, Trojan team win home golf tourney
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports Writer
Hillsboro golfers had home course advantage Thursday at the Hillsboro Invitational, and they kept the trophies at home.
The Trojans won the six-man team competition, and Hillsboro junior Justin Kent took the singles title in a four-hole playoff against the defeniding state champion, at the Hillsboro Municipal Golf Course.
The victories were made sweeter because the team edged rival Marion by two strokes. And, after being deadlocked at 74 strokes after 18 holes, Kent edged Marion's defending 3A state champion, Travis Hett on the fourth playoff hole.
The Trojans' four-man team of Kent, Daniel Kunantaev, Elliot Soyez, and Darren Enns lost to Marion by one stroke, 325-326.
Hillsboro golfers will tee-off again at 3 p.m. Friday in a tournament hosted by Wichita Collegiate at Hidden Lakes Country Club. Foes from Wellington, Andover, Hesston, and Marion also will be there.
"That will be one of our tougher varsity tournaments of the year," said Trojan coach Scott O'Hare. "You've got to shoot well to place in the top 10 in that tournament, and it's a tough course. It will be a big test."
The going gets tough when Collegiate or Hesston is on the course. The Spartans have won eight out of the last 10 Class 3A state titles, and the Swathers won in 2004 and 2005.
While Kent enjoyed the best round Thursday, teammates Daniel Kunantaev and Elliot Soyez played to fourth and fifth place finishes, respectively.
"I know Elliot and Daniel were a little frustrated with their results," O'Hare said. "They both know and feel like they can and should be shooting better than that, especially on their home course. I know they have the potential to go a lot lower than that."
O'Hare is eager to see his golfers respond to stiffer competition and a more difficult course in Wichita.
"The guys need to alleviate tension and get some confidence in what they do," O'Hare said.
