Hutchinson golfer defends Junior Match Play title

Several area high school athletes were competing last week at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence during Kansas Junior Golf Association events.

First, the Junior Section Team Championship took place at the course, ending Wednesday, July 28. The South Central Section defended its title, beat the second-place Metro Section 1,748-1,798. Other teams participating were the West, Northeast, North Central and Southeast sections.

Max Lazzo, a 2010 graduate of Kapaun Mt. Carmel, won his age division (18 and over) and the overall title. He shot a 137, tying with Jordan Hecker of Russell, who won the 16-17 age division.

However, Lazzo defeated Hecker in a playoff. Hecker will be a junior this year at Russell.

Sterling’s Michael Gellerman and Wellington’s Myles Miller tied for second in the 16-17 category with scores of 138. In the 14-15 division, Circle’s Dominic Lara claimed the top spot by shooting a 139.

Next up at Eagle Bend was Junior Match Play, which ended Friday, July 30. Hutchinson’s Thane Ringler, the top seed, defended his title. He took on the No. 14 seed, Travis Mays, for the championship. Mays, of Blue Valley West, was the Class 6A state champion this year.

Ringler edged Mays in match play 5&4. Ringler, a 2010 graduate of Hutchinson, will continue his golf career at The Masters College, a Christian College in Santa Clarita, Calif.