Red Devil golfers open season

Adjusting to the college game of golf is the big factor for freshmen coming off of just playing 18-hole competitions at the high school level.
“We’re excited about our incoming freshman golfers. They all had a lot of success at the high school level,” said Mike Hayes, Allen County Community College golf coach.
“Playing 36 holes in one day or 27 holes like we did at the first tournament of the season is an adjustment for them but we’re confident they will make it well.”
The ACCC golf team began the 2011-2012 season at Independence Community College’s tournament Monday. It was a two-man, best-ball format and the Red Devils had four two-man teams in the event.
Freshmen Josh Stanley and Chad Schmidt combined for a 107, tying for fifth. They had rounds of 34-36-37.
Freshmen Clinton Moore and Jacob Weber carded a 109, tying for 10th. They had rounds of 35-37-37.
Sophomores Casey Bettis and Tyler Roth shot a 117 (40-39-38). Freshmen Jake Morrison and Seth Walden also had a 117 (38-40-39).
Bettis is from Topeka and takes his ACCC classes at the Burligame campus then drives to Iola for golf practices. Hayes said Bettis entered a lot of Kansas Golf Association events over the summer.
“Casey has come back with a lot of confidence in his game,” Hayes said. “Tyler is out of Silver Lake High school and was our most improved player of last year.
“Tyler has tremendous power and can hit the golf ball a long distance. He has worked on his short game and is a much better chipper and putter this year. With the combination of his length and improved short game, we look for a breakout season.”
Moore is from Ottawa and is a very good putter. Morrison is the 2011 Kansas Sands Green state champion from Yates Center High. Hayes said Morrison is very consistent with his game.
Schmidt comes out of Olpe High School and placed sixth at the 2011 state tournament. Stanley is from Newkirk, Okla., and has the lowest scoring average among the incoming freshmen, according to Hayes.
Walden is from Iola and played golf for Iola High several years ago. He is now at ACCC after going to KU and is playing golf and basketball for the Red Devils.
“Seth has a lot of natural ability and potential of being very good on the golf course. Right now, he is doing both basketball and golf,” Hayes said.
Weber is from Santa Fe Trail High School at Carbondale. He has the long length game and is working on developing a better short game, Hayes said.
“All of our freshmen were the No. 1 golfers on their high school teams and very accomplished at that level,” Hayes said.
 Allen County plays in the first of the Jayhawk Conference designated tournaments, Sept. 9-11, at Garden City. The second designated tournament is Sept. 25-26 at Salina and the third one is Oct. 2-3 at Hesston.
The Red Devils play in the Kansas City, Kan., Blue Devil Invitational, Oct. 10-11.