TOPEKA — Iola senior Brennen Coffield ended his high school career with seventh place at Wednesday’s 3A State Golf Championship.
After trailing by a stroke on the leaderboard following the first day of play, Coffield struggled through the second round. But his days as a competitor on the links are far from over, with plans to attend Dodge City Community College next fall to play for the Conquistador golf team.
“It’s bittersweet, and I would have liked to have ended it a little better, but it happens and you move on,” Coffield said. “I just didn’t let anything get away from me yesterday (Tuesday), but I didn’t putt very well. I hit the ball well enough to not have to, but today I just did not have it with my swing.”
Of Wednesday’s competitors, Coffield’s group had by far the largest following. With eventual champion Landon Langston of Wichita Collegiate and third-place finisher Isaac Rusche of Hesston in the same group, a caravan of onlookers followed along. Many were friends, family members and teammates of Coffield.
“It was great, and the support was phenomenal,” Coffield said. “It wasn’t just here, but back home everybody was texting and reaching out.”
Coffield held his own early in the second round, but a double bogey on the second and a bogey on the sixth hole left him playing from behind. He made up some ground with a birdie on the 11th hole, but it was not enough as the day’s front runners pulled away after Coffield bogied the 17th and 18th holes.
“It was not an easy round for anybody, and there were a few situations, some trouble here and there,” Iola coach Jeremy Sellman said. “I’ve coached him for five years, and he’s been like family. I look at him like a son, and it’s been a privilege and an honor to be a part of his journey. Four years in high school, four state championship appearances, that’s a hell of a career for anybody.”
Coffield shot a 43 on the front nine, then improved three strokes for a 40 on the back nine to card an 83 for day two and a total of 154.
He ends his senior year as one of the most decorated golfers in Iola history. Coffield finished sixth at the 2025 state golf tournament and ended this season with four gold medals, a fourth-place regional finish and second place at the Buck Quincy Invitational.
“There is a lot to work on, and a lot to take away from what happened. I just have to keep doing it,” Coffield said. “Jeremy, and my parents, I could not have done it without them. Of course, my teammates across all sports, you take from them everything you can. Everybody has some wisdom. You just have to find it.”
