Stanek, Bellevue East win Capitol City Golf Invite
Kevin Stanek had a ‘tweener’ day on the par-3 holes at Highlands Golf Course.
But the Bellevue East senior more than made up for it on the rest of the course. Stanek shot a 3-under-par 69 Thursday, then won a playoff against Austin Zimmerman of Lincoln Southwest to win the Capital City Golf Invitational.
Stanek had six birdies, but also recorded three bogeys — all on par-3 holes.
“It seemed like I was between clubs on all the par-3s except No. 14 and that one was downwind,” Stanek said.
Stanek’s 69 helped the Chieftains to earn the team championship as well, bolstered by the third-place finish of Brad Albrecht, who shot a 70. Daniel McKernan had a 74 and Kyle Stanek a 76 to give Bellevue East a 289 total and a two-shot win against Lincoln Southwest and Lincoln East.
“This is a real confidence- booster for the entire team,” Stanek said. “We won the last three meets before this, but this is on the course we’ll play at state, so this will put us at ease.”
Stanek got off to a strong start, posting par, birdie, birdie on the first three holes.
“I rolled in a 30-foot putt for birdie on No. 3,” Stanek said. “It’s just a matter of playing steady and finishing. You don’t want to get ahead of yourself.”
Bellevue East coach Lance Raabe said that while his team has played well this spring, this was the Chieftains’ best performance.
“Kevin has won two invites and was in a playoff for a third one,” he said. “And for Brad, this is a great showing. He’s played well the last week and a half.
“This was our first chance to come to this invitational and playing on the same course where state is held will help us,” he said. “This is our first time playing Highlands. It’s a links-style course, like our home course, Tregaron Golf Club. You can take chances, but when the wind shifts, it can turn a birdie hole into one where you’re thrilled to get par.”
Stanek drove into the rough on the playoff hole, but put his approach shot five feet from the cup. Zimmerman’s second shot dribbled along the edge of the green, his chip came up short and he putted past the hole. That allowed Stanek to two-putt for a par and the title.
“Highlands had the course in good shape and my kids played well,” Southwest coach Jim Danson said. “Our two sophomores stepped up. Bryce Brown shot a 73 and Brandon Boosalis had a 76.
“I’ve said all along that we’ll go as far as they take us. They are just sophomores, but with their weekly improvement, I think we’re on the right track.”
Danson said the play in this tournament confirmed his opinion of the season. The top 10 teams shot 304 or better and eight of the 15 medalists were at even par or better. The other seven were all 1-over par.
“I thought all along that there are a half-dozen teams that could win each and every week,” Danson said. “What’s important is to find that grit when things are not going well.”
Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
But the Bellevue East senior more than made up for it on the rest of the course. Stanek shot a 3-under-par 69 Thursday, then won a playoff against Austin Zimmerman of Lincoln Southwest to win the Capital City Golf Invitational.
Stanek had six birdies, but also recorded three bogeys — all on par-3 holes.
“It seemed like I was between clubs on all the par-3s except No. 14 and that one was downwind,” Stanek said.
Stanek’s 69 helped the Chieftains to earn the team championship as well, bolstered by the third-place finish of Brad Albrecht, who shot a 70. Daniel McKernan had a 74 and Kyle Stanek a 76 to give Bellevue East a 289 total and a two-shot win against Lincoln Southwest and Lincoln East.
“This is a real confidence- booster for the entire team,” Stanek said. “We won the last three meets before this, but this is on the course we’ll play at state, so this will put us at ease.”
Stanek got off to a strong start, posting par, birdie, birdie on the first three holes.
“I rolled in a 30-foot putt for birdie on No. 3,” Stanek said. “It’s just a matter of playing steady and finishing. You don’t want to get ahead of yourself.”
Bellevue East coach Lance Raabe said that while his team has played well this spring, this was the Chieftains’ best performance.
“Kevin has won two invites and was in a playoff for a third one,” he said. “And for Brad, this is a great showing. He’s played well the last week and a half.
“This was our first chance to come to this invitational and playing on the same course where state is held will help us,” he said. “This is our first time playing Highlands. It’s a links-style course, like our home course, Tregaron Golf Club. You can take chances, but when the wind shifts, it can turn a birdie hole into one where you’re thrilled to get par.”
Stanek drove into the rough on the playoff hole, but put his approach shot five feet from the cup. Zimmerman’s second shot dribbled along the edge of the green, his chip came up short and he putted past the hole. That allowed Stanek to two-putt for a par and the title.
“Highlands had the course in good shape and my kids played well,” Southwest coach Jim Danson said. “Our two sophomores stepped up. Bryce Brown shot a 73 and Brandon Boosalis had a 76.
“I’ve said all along that we’ll go as far as they take us. They are just sophomores, but with their weekly improvement, I think we’re on the right track.”
Danson said the play in this tournament confirmed his opinion of the season. The top 10 teams shot 304 or better and eight of the 15 medalists were at even par or better. The other seven were all 1-over par.
“I thought all along that there are a half-dozen teams that could win each and every week,” Danson said. “What’s important is to find that grit when things are not going well.”
Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
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