By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
Behind a program second best two-round combined score, the Barton Community College men's golf team rolled to the Central Kansas Classic title for its second win of the fall season.
Taking on Monday's rainy conditions at McPherson's Turkey Creek Golf Course, the Cougars led by four after a 282 round before expanding the margin over the eleven team field to an eleven stoke victory powered by a 278 card.
The combined 560 score and finishing at even par on the Par-70 course, the Cougars' two-day total is second only on the program accomplishment list to the 2015-26 squad's 551 set at Salina's Municipal Golf Course during the KWU Invitational.
Barton men's golfer Axel Bolander wins the 2023 Central Kansas ClassicHaving victory slip through his grasp last time on the course, Axel Bolander needed a come from behind effort this week in winning his second title of the season. One of only two of the 72-competitor field to post a red number on Monday, Bolander's 1-under 69 left a three-stroke deficit that was reeled in on Tuesday by firing a 4-under 66 to win by one stroke with a 5-under 135 two-day score.
In total, Barton had five within the top ten standings as two slipped a little on the final day leaderboard while two made improvements to help the team widen its lead.
Finishing tied for 5th, Simon Strandberg stayed steady but fell a spot on the board with an even par 70 and 71 for a combined 1-over 141.
Kaleb Lambert and Tanapoom Kaewjoey made a four and seven spot climb respectively into a tie for the 7th overall position at 4-over 144. Lambert carded 73 and 71 rounds while Kaewjoey made his big climb on 74 and 70 cards.
Slipping four spots into a tie for 10th was Worathan Thammachokecharoen at 5-over 145 in opening with an even par 70 before closing with a 75.
Others:
T-25th Martin Chevallier +12, 152 (78-74)
T-44th Anthony Arriola +19, 159 (80-79)
T-52nd Thantup Saengvut +22, 162 (86-76)
The Cougars will join the women's team in assisting with the College's sponsored 15th Annual Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament on Saturday, getting back to the links September 25-26 at the Hesston Golf Course Shootout.