By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Steve Gotsche was officially inducted into the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame Friday during a luncheon at the Jack Kilby Commons Area of the High School.
Gotsche was a 1979 graduate of Great Bend High School where he became the 6A Kansas High School Individual Golf Champion. After a successful year at Barton Community College, Gotsche chose the University of Nebraska to continue his education and golf career where he was twice elected to the 1st Team All Big 8 Team.
"I would have loved to stay in state at either the University of Kansas or Kansas State University but at that time their programs were not real special," said Gotsche. "Nebraska had football money to spend and I wanted to stay in the Big 8."
Gotsche earned his way to the PGA Tour in the mid-1990s and qualified for the US Open nine times. During his professional career, Gotsche won more than 70 mini-tour tournaments and still holds the course record at The Club at Stoneridge in Great Bend with a 56 (-15).
The golf career was kind to Gotsche but did mention it took a toll on his body.
"I played football and basketball in the street and through high school and never even turned an ankle," said Gotsche. "I've been injured through golf three major times and other instances from the effects of traveling."
Following his touring days, Gotsche returned to coach golf at Barton Community
College and was named Head PGA professional at Stoneridge. In May 2014, he
accepted the Head PGA Golf professional position at Colbert Hills Golf Course
in Manhattan where he is currently employed.
"I still have a passion for teaching golf to young players that are ready to develop their games," Gotsche added.
Gotsche became the 24th member of the GBHS Hall of Fame since the inaugural class of 2008.