Bishop Carroll golfer, a KU recruit, wins Kansas high school state title on record score
Not only did Bishop Carroll senior Noah Holtzman successfully defend his state title, he ended his career with a record-breaking performance.
The University of Kansas men’s golf commit carded a 9-under score of 61, which broke the state tournament record for a low round, to cap off a dominant two-day performance on Tuesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson. He finished with a 13-under, 36-hole total of 127 strokes to win individual honors once again at the Kansas Class 5A tournament.
“I’ve seen him get on fire before, but with everything riding on the line today, to come through like that was an absolutely incredible performance,” Carroll coach Mark Berger said. “You know he can do that type of thing, but you don’t expect it to happen on the last day of the state tournament.”
Not only did Holtzman pull away from a talented field that included a pair of future Division-I golfers in Kapaun Mt. Carmel’s Asher Whitaker (Oklahoma) and Hutchinson’s Ty Adkins (Wichita State), but he also helped Bishop Carroll win its first team state championship in school history.
Freshman Max Farber tied for third overall with a score of 5-under 135, while senior Colby Hays (145, 17th), senior Luke Shelton (148), senior Pearce Lashley (153) and sophomore Landon Timmermeyer (158) rounded out the team score.
“It was pretty awesome because when I won last year, we weren’t there as a team,” Holtzman said. “Winning as an individual is always fun, but winning one with the team makes it so much more fun and fulfilling to be able to do it with them.”
Holtzman winning was far from a surprise, considering he has been playing well his entire senior season, but even he was a little surprised by his career-low round of 61, which featured a career-high 10 birdies and surpassed his previous low round of 65.
With ideal conditions on Tuesday and the course at Turkey Creek playing relatively short, Holtzman said he knew a low number was attainable. Instead of trying to crush drives off the tee, he opted instead for accuracy and played most of the day out of the fairway by hitting irons and his 3-wood off the tee, then letting his 56-degree wedge do the rest of the work.
Once he was on the green, Holtzman had one of the best days of putting in his career. He was 3-under through four holes, then drained a 20-foot par save on No. 5. He made the turn at 5-under, then birdied the first three holes on the back nine, including a chip-in from around 40 feet on No. 11.
“Once you go out there on those first couple of holes and start making putts, you feel like anything you look at is going to go in,” said Holtzman, who finished his round with 25 total putts. “Being able to feel like that gives you so much confidence.”
There was no shortage of confidence in any of the Carroll golfers on the second day of the competition, as Hays shot a 69, Farber carded a 70 and Shelton and Lashley came through with 75 each. That allowed the Golden Eagles to pull away from the same competition they faced at regionals to edge Kapaun by 10 strokes and Goddard Eisenhower by 15 strokes with the winning team score of 555.
Whitaker finished runner-up with a score of 134, while Kapaun had three other medalists in senior Connor Geist (140, ninth), junior Noah Pirtle (145, 17th) and senior Spencer Seachris (146, 19th). Eisenhower also finished with a cluster in the medals with junior Carson Wright (139, sixth), freshman Jackson Loomis (143, 12th), junior Brody Scafe (144, 15th) and junior Tyler Hardtarfer (146, 19th).
Other Wichita-area medalists included Adkins (135, third), Andover Central freshman Colt Farrow (137, fifth) and Andover sophomore Aidan Nguyen (139, sixth).
After last Wednesday’s practice round on the course, Berger said he was certain his team could shoot low scores at state.
“We knew something like this was possible, but I didn’t want them to start dreaming about scores,” Berger said. “They had to focus on the task at hand. Hit fairways, hit greens, keep it as simple as possible. We didn’t play perfect golf, but those guys executed so well and took advantage of so many opportunities, I couldn’t be more proud. I’m at a loss for words with this group.”
Not even Holtzman’s record-setting round was without a blemish.
In fact, his bogey on the par-3 No. 15 was still gnawing at Holtzman after the championship performance.
“There’s definitely a sense of accomplishment, but it’s also kind of hard not to think about the ones you left out there too,” Holtzman said. “But this is awesome to get the win and cap off my high school career like this is really amazing and beyond anything I could have imagined.”
Circle freshman Anderson Helmer wins Class 4A state title
A birdie on the 35th hole of the Class 4A state boys golf tournament gave Circle freshman Anderson Helmer the individual championship.
That birdie broke a tie between Helmer and Tonganoxie’s Remi Baldock and lifted the freshman to individual honors with a 5-over, 36-hole total of 149 strokes after firing a round of 73 on Tuesday at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield.
Helmer, who also won a regional title in Hesston last week, was in a four-way tie for the lead after Monday’s opening round. Helmer and Baldock each shot the low round on Tuesday, but Helmer edged him by 1 stroke from Monday’s round.
Helmer rallied in the face of adversity after bogeying back-to-back holes on No. 11 and No. 12 on Tuesday, leaving him 3-over through 12. But a birdie on the par-3 No. 13 kicked off the winning surge, capped by the birdie on No. 17 to seal it.
Wamego edged Independence by 2 strokes for the team championship, while Circle finished in fourth place in the team standings, as junior Conner Chadwell, who fired a 163 for 16th place, was the other medalist. Other Wichita-area individual medalists included McPherson junior Trakker French (155, fifth) and Buhler senior Logan Day (156, sixth).
Other Wichita-area boys golf state results
In the Class 6A state tournament, played at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Thomas Gogel emerged victorious on the first playoff hole with Blue Valley’s Chance Rinkol after they tied for the low score of 6-under 138. Shawnee Mission East also won the tiebreaker over Olathe West, — each team had a score of 575 — to win the team title.
Wichita-area individual medalists in 6A included Derby junior Jaydon Carruthers (146, 15th) and Heights junior Jackson Ellison (146, 15th).
In the 3A state tournament, played at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City, Santa Fe Trail junior Lane Workman shot an even-par score of 142 in winning individual medalist honors by 4 strokes, while Olathe Heritage Christian won the team trophy by 22 strokes with a score of 613.
Wichita-area individual medalists in 3A included Hesston senior Camden Waterson (147, third), Collegiate senior Conner Gagnon (153, ninth), Kingman sophomore Kory Meireis (154, 13th) and Cheney junior Aiden Lynch (160, 20th).
In the 2A state tournament, played at Hesston Golf Course, Salina Sacred Heart dominated the competition, winning the team trophy by 44 strokes and junior Michael Matteucci taking individual honors with a 3-under 139.
Wichita-area individual medalists in 2A featured Hutchinson Trinity sophomore Lincoln Barnes (163, 17th).
South Gray comfortably won the 1A team title at Emporia Municipal Golf Course, while Solomon sophomore Spencer Coup won individual honors by a single stroke with a 12-over of 154.
Wichita-area individual medalists in 1A included Goessel junior Noah Schrag (159, third) and the Hutchinson Central Christian trio of sophomore Nathan Reed (163, eighth), sophomore Ryland Kooiman (168, 12th) and senior Andrew Yoder (168, 12th).
Kansas high school boys golf state results
Class 6A
at Sand Creek Station in Newton (par 72)
Teams — 1. Shawnee Mission East 291-284—575; 2. Olathe West 292-283—575; 3. Blue Valley Northwest 287-291—578; 4. Blue Valley West 297-290—587; 5. Olathe Northwest 299-298—597; 6. Manhattan 297-303—600.
Medalists — 1. Thomas Gogel, SM East, 68-70—138; 2. Chance Rinkol, Blue Valley, 68-70—138; 3. Parker Bennett, BV West, 70-69—139; 4. Nicklaus Nickloy, Olathe West, 71-69—140; 4. Bennett Warren, Olathe West, 72-68—140; 6. Rohan Sesai, BV Northwest, 73-69—142; 6. Brady Rapp, BV North, 70-72—142; 8. James Ackerman, Blue Valley, 73-70—143; 8. Maddix Shook, Garden City, 69-74—143; 10. Gavin Dines, Olathe Northwest, 74-70—144; 10. Ryan Green, BV Northwest, 74-70—144; 10. Brayden Grosz, Olathe East, 76-68—144; 10. Jackson Powers, Manhattan, 72-72—144; 14. Wylie Curtis, SM East, 73-72—145; 15. Carson Baker, BV West, 74-72—146; 15. Jaydon Carruthers, Derby, 75-71—146; 15. Elliott Cowden, SM East, 77-69—146; 15. Jackson Ellison, Wichita Heights, 71-75—146; 15. Ben Slicker, SM East, 73-73—146; 20. Ty Lasley, BV West, 75-72—147.
Class 5A
at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson (par 70)
Teams — 1. Bishop Carroll 280-275—555; 2. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 282-283—565; 3. Goddard Eisenhower 284-286—570; 4. St. James Academy 301-282—583; 5. Emporia 296-308—604; 6. St. Thomas Aquinas 308-302—610.
Medalists — 1. Noah Holtzman, Bishop Carroll, 66-61—127; 2. Asher Whitaker, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 66-68—134; 3. Ty Adkins, Hutchinson, 70-65—135; 3. Max Farber, Bishop Carroll, 65-70—135; 5. Colt Farrow, Andover Central, 68-69—137; 6. Evan Johnson, BV Southwest, 72-67—139; 6. Aidan Nguyen, Andover, 73-66—139; 6. Carson Wright, Goddard Eisenhower, 66-73—139; 9. Connor Geist, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 70-70—140; 10. Caden Massey, Emporia, 69-72—141; 11. Jacob Fratzel, St. James Academy, 73-69—142; 12. Myles Alonzo, Topeka West, 71-72—143; 12. Jackson Loomis, Goddard Eisenhower, 73-70—143; 12. Alex Valdivia, Shawnee Heights, 73-70—143; 15. Darren Powell, St. James Academy, 75-69—144; 15. Brody Scafe, Goddard Eisenhower, 69-75—144; 17. Colby Hays, Bishop Carroll, 76-69—145; 17. Noah Pirtle, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 74-71—145; 19. Tyler Hardtarfer, Goddard Eisenhower, 78-68—146; 19. Spencer Seachris, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 72-74—146.
Class 4A
at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield (par 72)
Teams — 1. Wamego 320-319—639; 2. Independence 321-320—641; 3. Bishop Miege 313-329—642; 4. Circle 339-321—660; 5. Topeka Hayden 345-342—687; 6. Andale 347-361—708.
Medalists — 1. Anderson Helmer, Circle, 76-73—149; 2. Remi Baldock, Tonganoxie, 77-73—150; 3. Grant McAtee, Pratt, 79-75—154; 3. Jack Winkler, Bishop Miege, 76-78—154; 5. Trakker French, McPherson, 76-79—155; 6. Logan Day, Buhler, 80-76—156; 7. Talon White, Wamego, 77-80—157; 8. Cash Foltz, Wamego, 82-76—158; 8. Ethan Small, Independence, 76-82—158; 10. Colton Brusven, Tonganoxie, 81-79—160; 10. Spencer Hecht, Wamego, 78-82—160; 12. Gerald Mattes, Independence, 79-82—161; 12. Justin Walls, Bishop Miege, 77-84—161; 14. Tyler Deterding, Eudora, 80-82—162; 14. Jase Mavers, Independence, 81-81—162; 16. Conner Chadwell, Circle, 83-80—163; 16. Cameron Mavers, Independence, 87-76—163; 18. Jimmy Welsh, Bishop Miege, 81-83—164; 19. Brennen Coffield, Iola, 83-82—165; 19. Caden Englert, Baldwin, 80-85—165.
Class 3A
at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City (par 71)
Teams — 1. Olathe Heritage Christian 310-303—613; 2. Sabetha 321-314—635; 3. Hesston 323-319—642; 4. Frontenac 333-333—666; 5. Rossville 337-334—671; 6. Scott City 341-343—684.
Medalists — 1. Lane Workman, Santa Fe Trail, 72-70—142; 2. Owen Evans, Heritage Christian, 72-74—146; 3. Camden Waterson, Hesston, 75-72—147; 4. Dylan Esch, Southeast of Saline, 75-73—148; 5. Jonathan Hart, Rossville, 79-71—150; 6. Vinny Pile, Frontenac, 78-73—151; 7. Roman Scoby, Sabetha, 76-76—152; 7. Cullen Wikle, Sabetha, 79-73—152; 9. Ashton Albright, Heritage Christian, 77-76—153; 9. Kyle Eggers, Neodesha, 75-78—153; 9. Conner Gagnon, Wichita Collegiate, 78-75—153; 9. Lucas Prado, Heritage Christian, 78-75—153; 13. Kory Meireis, Kingman, 79-75—154; 14. Drew Buchman, Council Grove, 77-78—155; 15. Jackson Rumford, Scott City, 77-79—156; 16. Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake, 79-78—157; 16. Jack Donovan, Rossville, 80-77—157; 16. John Lauer, Marysville, 81-76—157; 19. Cole Niederklein, Frontenac, 77-82—159; 20. Aiden Lynch, Cheney, 81-79—160.
Class 2A
at Hesston Golf Course (par 71)
Teams — 1. Salina Sacred Heart 297-300—597; 2. Hill City 315-326—641; 3. Hoxie 331-323—654; 4. Elkhart 329-329—658; 5. Ellinwood 340-340—680; 6. Thomas More Prep 358-342—700.
Medalists — 1. Michael Matteucci, Sacred Heart, 69-70—139; 2. Andrew Heinz, Ellinwood, 73-69—142; 3. Luke Newell, Sacred Heart, 74-73—147; 4. Cooper Bagley, Hill City, 77-76—153; 4. Alex Gallegos, St. Marys, 76-77—153; 4. Walker Tuttle, Sacred Heart, 76-77—153; 7. Bodie Higgins, Elkhart, 76-82—158; 7. Brady Jones, Hoxie, 81-77—158; 9. Noah Fry, Hill City, 79-80—159; 9. Ethan Rush, KC Christian, 83-76—159; 11. Pake Dewey, Thomas More Prep, 85-75—160; 12. Austin Carroll, Ellis, 83-78—161; 12. Max Ehrlich, Sacred Heart, 78-83—161; 12. Tate Weimer, Hoxie, 84-77—161; 15. Benjamin Deges, Hill City, 76-86—162; 15. Hunter Newell, Sacred Heart, 82-80—162; 17. Lincoln Barnes, Hutchinson Trinity, 88-75—163; 17. Noah Dowell, Hoxie, 81-82—163; 17. Murray Houtz, Elkhart, 84-79—163; 17. Clayson Nave, Elkhart, 79-84—163.
Class 1A
at Emporia Municipal Golf Course (par 71)
Teams — 1. South Gray 332-340—672; 2. Washington County 36-338—684; 3. Ashland 354-339—693; 4. Hutchinson Central Christian 347-347—694; 5. Bishop Seabury 351-353—704; 6. Ingalls 358-381—739.
Medalists — 1. Spencer Coup, Solomon, 77-77—154; 2. Jaxon Koehn, South Gray, 80-75—155; 3. Noah Schrag, Goessel, 82-77—159; 3. Gavin Wahl, South Gray, 80-79—159; 5. Sawyer Campbell, Kiowa County, 82-78—160; 5. Landen McPhail, Ashland, 80-80—162; 7. Jace Hoffman, Bishop Seabury, 80-82—162; 8. Cord Kellenberger, Ashland, 82-81—163; 8. Nathan Reed, Hutchinson Central Christian, 77-86—163; 10. Cameron Wahl, South Gray, 79-85—164; 11. Drew Gibbs, Centralia, 87-79—166; 12. Monte Huckett, Washington County, 84-84—168; 12. Ryland Kooiman, Hutchinson Central Christian, 88-80—168; 12. Mitchell Lehman, Ingalls, 84-84—168; 12. Andrew Yoder, Hutchinson Central Christian, 84-84—168; 16. Conner Gillespie, St. John, 82-87—169; 17. Paxton Bowers, Centralia, 83-87—170; 17. Carson Kearn, Washington County, 84-86—170; 19. Konner Gepner, Washington County, 88-84—172; 20. Jaydon Hahn, Hodgeman County, 87-86—173.
