PARSONS — Iola High’s golf team traveled to the woody confines of Katy Park Thursday for the Parsons Invitational.
Team members Chris Holloway, Xander Sellman, Titus Jones, Trevor Tatman and Ethan Harris were greeted by a tight course with tree-lined fairways, tricky greens and a field of the area’s top highschool golfers. The Mustangs took fourth as a team.
Sophomore Chris Holloway once again led Iola’s contingent, tying for 14th with a 93.
“Chris was struggling with controlling his long approach shots and had a few miscues on the greens,” head coach Jeremy Sellman said. “I was impressed with his short chip shots and really noticed a difference today after working on those earlier in the week. His game is coming around. We’re not far off from having it all put together. Take away a few bad shots and he is a top-10 finisher.”
Sophomore Xander Sellman shot 97.
“His putter was hit and miss today and he struggled with getting his speed correct,” Coach Sellman said. “However, his long game was outstanding. His drives were very consistent and that led to some opportunities for him. I feel like fatigue got to him at the end of his round.
Four double-dogies in a row to end his round knocked Sellman out of a top-10 finish.
Freshman Ethan Harris, in his first-ever varsity meet, shot a 124.
“I’m super impressed with his performance today,” Sellman said. “He didn’t let the pressure get to him. Ethan just played his game and didn’t let the added distance or extra nine holes of a varsity tournament get to him. He’s come a long way this year, having never played before. For him to go and play like this is very promising.”
Sophomore Titus Jones shot a 138.
“Titus was off today,” Sellman said. “He battled the trees along the fairways and struggled with his ball striking. I know Titus will put his nose down and work on his swing. Even with the setbacks, his putting and chipping remained on track.
Freshman Trevor Tatman, also playing in his first varsity meet, shot 140.
“Trevor was also a victim of the tight tree-lined fairways and the added distance of the course,” Sellman said. “Trevor has a good attitude and really doesn’t let a lot bother him. He’s having a good time with golf this year and he has improved greatly since day one.
“Parsons didn’t fit him, honestly, and we both knew it would play tough for him, but we agreed a little adversity would help to expose some weaknesses and give a good idea what to work on for future events,” Sellman said.
“Overall I’m proud of these boys and am grateful to be coaching them this year,” he continued. “I’m learning just as much as they are at these tournaments. We’re going to be pretty good when it matters at regionals. I know the boys want to win every time out, but I also know these events we’re playing in are pushing them to their limits and showing them how to improve in every aspect. Like I told the boys today, sometimes you play golf and sometimes golf plays you. That’s golf.”
Iola is back in action on Monday as hosts of the Buck Quincy invitational at the Allen County Country Club on those earlier in the week. His game is coming around. We’re not far off from having it all put together. Take away a few bad shots and he is a top-10 finisher.”
