Four-man state qualifiers return to lead Marion golf hopes
Written by Andrew Ottoson
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
The outlook for the Marion High School golf squad looks bright this spring.
Coach Rex Ostmeyer cites the return of the entire group that won the four-man competition at three meets last season as one reason for early optimism.
Leading the Marion golf team this spring are (from left) Keith Jones, Chase Carlson, Luke Gordon, Lindsey Hett, Travis Hett, Jake Bredemeier, Paul Hodson and Matt Fine.
“Our returners also had us finishing third in the MCAA league meet,” Ostmeyer said. “We feel pretty good about our returners as we had a very successful season last year.”
Senior Travis Hett is the defending Class 3A state champion and won the title last season at Hesston Golf Park.
Hett was an individual medalist at three meets last season in addition to the state title.
He finished second in the MCAA meet and fifth overall at the competitive Wichita Collegiate Invitational.
Hett will be considered one of the top players in the state.
“Travis had a great junior year, with the state championship obviously as the highlight,” Ostmeyer said. “He is just so solid, very consistent. You will be hard-pressed to find a high school player with a better head for golf than Trav.
“He just never seems to get too up or too down on the course, which is exactly the mindset you need.”
Junior Jake Bredemeier, a returning state qualifier, returns with ther second-best stroke average.
“Jake had a good junior year and played well at regionals and OK at state,” Ostmeyer said. “He is a kid who loves golf and plays a lot. If Jake plays with consistency, he is a very solid player."
Junior Keith Jones, who finished eighth at the MCAA meet last year, should be much improved this season.
“He has been playing great lately,” Ostmeyer said. “He loves golf, this is his thing. He practices and plays all the time. As he gets older and more mature, he will only get better.
“We are all a year older and hopefully a year better. All of our top five players are veterans and are capable of shooting a good score,” Ostmeyer added.
Sophomore Luke Gordon won the Sacred Heart Invitational last season and finished 10th in the Marion County Invitational.
Ostmeyer said, “Luke was up and down last year, much like most freshmen. His win at Salina last year was impressive. He shot a 76 as a freshman. So if he plays consistently, he is a threat to medal at every meet.”
Additional returning letterwinners are junior Chase Carlson and senior Paul Hodson.
“Chase is big for us this year,” Ostmeyer said. “He has to give us that consistent fifth score to take the pressure off the top four. He needs to consistently shoot in the mid-80s, which he is capable of.”
Hodson “has improved a bunch and is hitting the ball a lot better this year,” Ostmeyer said. “If we can continue to improve his consistency with his ball-striking and improve his short game, he can shoot some (good) scores.”
The team will gain from the addition of freshman Lindsey Hett and sophomore Matt Fine.
“Lindsey has been a pleasant surprise,” Ostmeyer said. She could have a great future in golf if she keeps working at it.”
The 2007 season opens Tuesday, April 3, at the Herington Invitational. The team will then compete at the Hillsboro Invitational April 5.
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