Par for the Course

Freshman Jack Randall drives the ball from the tee box. Being Randalls first season he has been very successful. “My biggest achievement so far would either be winning regionals,” Randall said.

Par

Course for the

freshman golfer impresses

In the most critical tournament to date of his young high school career, star freshman golfer Jack Randall claimed his first individual victory by rallying from behind late in his round.

On April 13, at Deer Creek Golf Club in Overland Park, Randall stood victorious in the first of three legs of the Sunflower League championship.

Midway through his round after nine holes, Randall had shot a score of 40 (par 36), an impressive score but still out of the lead. Heading into the latter stages of his round he picked up momentum. “After I finished I didn’t think I won because in golf you can never guarantee anything,” Randall said. “The nine that I shot (three under par) on was a lot of fun. It was just becoming natural as I started off with

Looking at the ball, freshman Jack Randall plans his next move. When not on the course together, Randall and his teammates have team dinners. “They’ve brought the team closer together,” Randall said. “It’s also a really good experience.”

two pars, then I had three birdies in a row. I finished that nine with a 33 which is still my season best so far.”

The late comeback from Randall turned out to be enough as he stood at the top of the leaderboard after the conclusion of the first leg of the tournament.

Randall, who had led the team for the majority of the season, is no stranger to the game. He learned to play when he was only four years old and was exposed to golf by his parents.

With an extensive background of the game, Randall was anticipated to be a great addition to the team, but the magnitude of his impact to the team was unexpected.

“He has surprised me,” Law said. “I knew he was a talented player, but to win a Sunflower League

Freshman golfer Jack Randall looks out into the green. For Randall, beginning high school level golf in a pandemic has not affected him poorly. “It has in a good way, it’s allowed me to get out and play more and get better,” Randall said. Freshman Jack Randall drives the ball from the tee box. Being Randalls first season he has been very successful. “My biggest achievement so far would either be winning regionals,” Randall said.

PROFILE

pages by Hannah De Guzman story by Ben Shryock photos by Addison Driscoll

I knew he was a talented player, but to win a Sunflower League tournament, and stare at some of the best players in the state and not blink, that has been impressive.

- coach Chuck Law

tournament, and stare at some of the best players in the state and not blink, that has been impressive.”

The team only returns one player with previous varsity experience. In response, teammates have meshed well as a group.

Junior Dawson Pfannenstiel noted that Randall’s addition has benefited everyone on the team.

Pfannenstiel also emphasized that himself and other upperclassmen still have much to offer to Randall for his improvement.

“He is very competitive,” Pfannenstiel said. “He uses his competitiveness to push others to win. But I also feel like a father figure to Jack at school and at golf.”

Unity on the team has been a catalyst for Randall’s success so far. He finished the remaining legs of the Sunflower League tournament to finish 4th individually overall.

“The best part of this season has been the environment I am surrounded in with this team,” Randall said. “That is the main reason I have been able to perform the way I have been.”

The team looks to continue their chemistry through regionals for a potential bid at the state tournament later this spring. Regardless of the finish to their season, Randall has surely been a significant member of the team so far, and shows potential to be a historic player of the boys golf program as his career progresses.