Audrain captures second title in three years

Mayetta, KS-Any golfer would be fuming. After six holes at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Sion Audrain was the clear-cut leader. But then mother nature opened the skies and a week-long delay ensued.

After some discussion, officials ordered that the tournament be restarted, this with their best golfer in front and the team tied for the lead.

“It’s unfortunate how that worked out, but it is what it is,” head coach Trent Specht said.

Because of more rain, the tournament was moved again, this time to Firekeeper Golf Course in Mayetta. But that did little to slow down Audrain.

The senior was spectacular, shooting a 6-under 66, becoming the first Garden City player ever to win two individual state crowns; this his second in three seasons.

“It was kind of a slow start to be honest,” Audrain said. “But I buckled down and got going.”

Don’t be fooled by Audrain’s modesty. After just one birdie on his first eight holes, the University of Kansas signee went to work, chipping in four straight birdies on nine, 10, 11 and 12 before adding two more on 15 and 16. The only blemish on his card was a bogey on 17. But even that could not damper a day where he shot 2-under on the front and 4-under on the back.

“I really turned things round on nine, 10, 11 and 12,” Audrain explained. “Those birdies really made the difference.”

Audrain lapped the field, beating Nicklaus Mason from Mill Valley by four strokes. He was one of only three golfers who shot under.

As a team, Garden City finished fourth, six strokes behind third place Olathe East. Shawnee Mission East won the 6A crown, carding a 298.

Meantime, freshman Theo Juhl showed that the Buffaloes still have a really good future in front of them, tying for 20th at 6-over par. His day was highlighted by a birdie on seven, a par-3. He was just 1-over through nine but had trouble on the backside, bogeying 11, 12, 15, 16 and 18 to finish the day with a 78.

Cayden Cundiff finished 9-over, Jarrett Richmeier was 14-over, Mason Shaddix 15-over and Noah Ortiz came in at 21-over.