Pratt High: Athletics: Golf

Gatz Helps PHS Win Invite Title;

"We Had Another Steady Performance and Were Able to Win Another Tournament as a Team," said PHS Head Coach Andy Kisner

by Dennis Gonzales & The Pratt Tribune

April 29, 2008

Tyler Gatz earned medalist honors and the Pratt High School varsity golf team won the 2008 Russell Invitational Thursday.

"We had another steady performance and were able to win another tournament as a team," said PHS head coach Andy Kisner. "The balance of our team was again evident, as we had all six varsity guys finish with scores between 80 and 90."

The Greenbacks were coming off a victory at the Larned Invitational.

Gatz carded an 80 on the par-72 Russell Golf Course.

Gatz's victory was the Greenbacks' second individual win of the season. Bronson Blasi medaled at the Nickerson Invitational at the Highlands in Hutchinson.

It was also the fourth straight season a Pratt golfer has captured the Russell individual title. Ben Eastes, a 2007 PHS graduate, won the invitational the previous three seasons.

In 2008, the Greenbacks combined for a 328, out-distancing runner-up

"The Russell tournament is traditionally a good event for us, probably because we get to take along a JV team and those players are familiar with the course once they reach the varsity level," said Kisner. "Thursday was easily the best conditions we have played under this year.

"I expected that at least one and maybe more of our guys would shoot a score below 80, but the greens had been aerated and sanded and were very rough, making it difficult to make putts."

Gatz ran the front nine in 42 strokes then shaved off four on the back nine to finish with a 38.

Chris Schneider, of Phillipsburg, was alone in second with an 81 (41-40).

Lane Schartz and Bronson Blasi produced third-place finishes with 82s.

They both shot 40s over the first nine holes then added 42s.

Danny Mason and his 84 (43-41) occupied sixth.

Jake Garrett's 88 (43-45) placed 12th and Cameron Ford's 90 (46-44) 15th.