The Kimball High boy's golf team notched another win in their undefeated season in defending their District title of a year ago in District play at the Cross Creek Golf Links Course in Cambridge. The Longhorns had a winning round of 315 to finish 16 strokes better than runner-up Perkins County with 331, and a Southern Valley was 3rd with 339. The top three teams and top 10 individuals all qualify for this week's State Tournament being held at the Meadowlark Hills course in Kearney. Rounding out the field behind the top three were Valentine 359, Bridgeport 372, St Pats 385, Mitchell 386, Cambridge 404, Gordon-Rushville 409, Sutherland 421, Hershey 434, Southwest 442, Ainsworth 477, Bayard 490, and Chase County NTS.
Preston Carbaugh of Cambridge, playing on his home course, captured individual top honors with his round 74. Jordan Greenwood led all Kimball golfers finishing just one stroke behind the medalist with his round of 39-36=75, but wound up with the 4th place medal as a result of a three-way score card playoff. Kimball had three golfers finish in the top ten individual list with Dillon Wise 5th with his round of 40-38=78, and Zane Anthony 7th with his round of 42-37=79also losing one spot by virtue of a score card playoff. Andrew McCloud shot 41-42=83, and Izaac Reuter 41-49=90.
Coach Chad Wise said "We liked the course a lot. It was tough, but well cared for and maintained. The rough was knurly and there were lots of hazards. Considering all of the conditions, I am pleased with our score of 315. That was a pretty good score and only one other school had a better district scare and they shot that on their home course."
There was some controversy on a ruling that effected a Kimball golfer, and which is being considered by State and other golf officials. It was a rule that Coach Wise deemed completely wrong, calling for the protest, although it will not affect any of the outcome of the District meet. Coach Wise said, "We also experienced some poor sportsmanship from opposing golfers and their following which left us with a bad taste in our mouths. I always preach to our players to go above and beyond with the sportsmanship aspect and I hope they know why."
Kimball left for the state tournament site on Sunday morning hoping to arrive in Kearney and at least get un some time on the range or maybe get in 9 holes of play. They had scheduled tee times on Monday for a full practice round before tournament play began on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday.
"We are going to Kearney at a bit of a disadvantage as we have not been able to practice for at least 3 days because of the winter weather we had, so we really need this tune up play in a bad way." Wise commented. The weather forecast on Tuesday called for some strong winds, but was to improve on Wednesday for the final day of play.