Bison state champs swing, putt into new year

Junior Hunter Hays and all the McCook High golfers were busy during Wednesday’s final practice before their season teed off at North Platte today.

R.B. Headley

McCOOK, Neb. — Long and powerful always seems more popular than putt-putt-putting across a golf course greens.

Perhaps that’s why the McCook Bison are defending Class B state golf champs.

Even before coaches arrived on the scene for Wednesday’s pre-season practice finale, McCook players were focusing on those “little things” that can make their games great.

“That’s a record number on the putting greens,” one golf pro observed from the nearby Heritage Hills clubhouse. “Usually guys are just hammering range balls.”

The Bison are likely unleashing their driving skills right about now in today’s season-opening North Platte Invitational.

Shouts of “fore!” might not appear nearly as disturbing as the four top players graduating from last year’s champion Bison team.

Yet like most any season, coach Rick Haney knows it’s just a matter of new guys stepping up to fill those crucial roles.

“We should see great improvement as the season progresses,” Haney remarked in his pre-season report.

Senior Kade Gray does return after playing the No. 5 varsity role for McCook last year.

Gray helped the Bison win Class B by eight strokes over top challenger Mount Michael Benedictine.

Caleb Sheets, Mason Sis, Riley Loop and Class B individual champ Noah Hofman have all moved on to life after MHS.

So the Bison will turn to senior Marcus Oberg along with leading varsity candidates in juniors Trevor Oberg, Tanner Unger, Gabe Vielma, Hunter Hays, Ethan Hays and Payton O’Tool. Watch for more Friday.