Tough field expected at Coleman Invite golf meet

McCook High School's golf team has one of the top home-course advantages in the state.

The Bison shooters get to practice and play regularly at the tough Heritage Hills Golf Links layout located on the west edge of the city. That home turf advantage will be put to the test Tuesday, April 20, when the Bison boys host the annual Ron Coleman Invitational.

The 18-hole competition is set to begin at 9 a.m. at Heritage Hills. A total of 11 schools are expected to be represented in Tuesday's meet. The other teams joining the Bison Tuesday are Holdrege, Lexington, Ogallala, Cozad, North Platte, Kearney, Minden, York and Decatur Community of Oberlin, Kan.

The Bison will enter two five-man squads in Tuesday's meet.

The McCook Red team will feature senior Alan Goodenberger, juniors Ben Vetrovsky, Corey Dallam and Drew Shields, and freshman Sean Backer. The McCook Black team will include seniors Austin Edwards, Ethan Hardin, Zack Rokusek and Marcus Wilson. Freshmen Dan Best and Colton Brown were expected to playoff during Monday's practice session for the fifth spot on the McCook Black roster Tuesday.

The tournament is named in honor of Ron Coleman, the long-time McCook coach who had a tremendous amount of success as the Bison golf coach, according to current head coach Rick Haney.

The Heritage Hills layout is one of the top courses in southwest Nebraska -- if not the entire Cornhusker State.

"This is a tournament we love to host, with the chance to show off our course," Coach Haney said. "The golf course does a tremendous job hosting and putting on the tournament. We thank the grounds crew for their efforts, and Ron Cash, the golf pro at Heritage Hills."

Haney called Tuesday's Coleman Invite "a very competitive meet." The Bison coach said North Platte and Kearney from Class A, along with Lexington and Ogallala from Class B should be among the top teams in the field. Hopefully the Bison, with their familiarity with the Heritage Hills track, will contend for top team honors.

Spectators are welcome at the course Tuesday. Coach Haney said fans can follow their favorite golfers around the course during the meet, but they are not allowed to converse with the players and spectators will have to stay back about 50 feet away from the players during the competition.

"They can be observers and fans," Haney said.

Hastings Invite

Coach Haney took a team to the Hastings Invitational Thursday, April 15, at the Lockland Country Club.

Since the Bison have a large number of seniors on this year's team, Haney gave those seniors a chance to compete at the Hastings meet, with an eye on givng them tourney experience before Tuesday's home meet.

Alan Goodenberger led McCook with an 18-hole score of 89. Zack Rokusek shot a 97, while Ethan Hardin and Austin Edwards each fired a 98, and Marcus Wilson carded a 108.

HASTINGS INVITATIONAL

Team Standings -- Scottsbluff 307, Norfolk 311, Omaha Creighton Prep 313, Kearney 317, Grand Island 320, Hastings 324, North Platte 336, Columbus 355, Sidney 362, Lexington 363, McCook 382, Hastings JV 424.

Top 15 Individuals

McCOOK INDIVIDUAL SCORES