WICHITA – Three players finished in the Top 10, but it was still a frustrating day for the Hutchinson Community College men’s golf team with a second-straight third-place finish in a Jayhawk Conference event.
The Blue Dragons shot rounds of 303 and 304 for a 607 team score at Auburn Hills Country Club. Johnson County won its second-straight conference title with a 599 team score. Dodge City was second at 603. The Blue Dragons and Dodge City were tied after the opening round, eight strokes behind Johnson County.
Through 2 of 6 conference tournaments, Johnson County leads the league race with 20 points, followed by Dodge City with 18 and Hutchinson with 16.
Freshman Jordan Hecker shot an even-par 72 in the morning round and was tied for the tournament lead. Hecker shot a 6-over 78 in the afternoon round and wound up fourth in the tournament with a 36-hole score of 150. He jumped into the league’s individual Top 10 and is ninth with seven points.
Sophomore Michael O’Connor posted his second Top 5 league placing in as many tournaments, tying for fifth at 151. O’Connor shot rounds of 76 and 75 on the 7,169-yard course. O’Connor is currently in a three-way tie for fifth in the league standings with 10 points.
Sophomore Ben Cotton tied for ninth and picked up his first conference points of the season. He shot rounds of 77 and 75 for a 152 total. Cotton is tied for 13th in the point standings.
Sophomore Trey Hayden tied for 13th at 154 (79-75) and sophomore Mason Varner placed 19th at 157 (79-78).
Johnson County’s Alex Forristal won Jayhawk No. 2 with a 3-over 147.
The Blue Dragons will complete the fall conference schedule on Oct 8 at Manhattan Country Club for Jayhawk No. 3.
(HCC Sports Information)
