Jacket golfers state-bound

Chris Combs had his eye on the weather for several days leading up to the Class 4A boys golf regional.

Hosted Monday at the Kingfisher Golf Course, boys regionals are generally 36 holes…weather permitting.

“We knew with the forecast, it could be shortened to 18 holes in the days leading up to it,” said the Kingfisher golf coach.

“We talked about being aggressive and putting up a number.”

The Yellowjackets did just that.

KHS turned in a 304 through their first 18 holes, putting them in second place in a tournament that would advance three teams to state.

As predicted, the weather didn’t hold up. Golfers were brought in off the course during their second round of the day.

Storms that produced a tornado were making their way through Kingfisher County and eventually canceled the remainder of the tournament.

That put Kingfisher into state as a regional runner-up.

Top-ranked Heritage Hall won the regional crown with a 292. No. 11 Bethany also advanced with its 315.

Kingfisher got solid rounds out of its top two bags - Tristun Burnham and Blake Hill.

Hill led the way with a 2-over-par 72. That tied him for third medalist honors.

Burnham was two strokes back.

“Blake continues to get better,” Combs said. “And Tristun just does what he does. They remain solid for us.”

But Kingfisher’s reservation at the state tournament was secured by the likes of Jax Sternberger, Cash Slezickey and Paytun Burnham.

Sternberger and Slezickey both carded 79s. Paytun Burnham shot an 83.

All three of those scores are the best competitive rounds for that trio.

“It was a great time to deliver,” Combs said. “You want to be playing your best golf right now.”

The Jackets prepped for the regional by taking part in last Thursday’s Bluejay Bash at Lake Hefner Golf Course.

Both Burnham and Hill shot under-par.

Burnham fired a 2-under 70, which placed him seventh in a loaded field.

Hill’s 71 was good for ninth.

Sternberger delivered an 83, Slezickey an 85 and Paytun Burnham a 96.

Kingfisher’s 309 tied it for fifth with OKC Storm B.

Christian Heritage won the tournament with a 289 while Heritage Hall was second at 293. OKC Storm’s A team shot 300 and Oklahoma Christian School a 301.

Now the Jackets turn their sights to Boiling Springs in Woodward. Teams will play 36 holes on Monday and another 18 on Tuesday… weather permitting.

“We had a good week of practice leading up to the regional and it paid off,” Combs said. “We need another good week of improving our wedge play and short games this week before heading to state.”