Arguably Easton Chaffee's biggest shot of the Class B District 2 Tournament was his last.
The Blair golfer chipped his ball into the cup for a birdie on No. 18 at Wayne Country Club, finishing his May 18th afternoon round with a state qualification.
“Right of the green, pin high,” BHS coach Ross Udey said, describing the shot. “Probably was a bogie and no trip if he missed it. The chip won him the spot.”
Chaffee next competes today at Scotts Bluff Country Club in Scottsbluff for the NSAA State Championships. The junior will play 36 holes across two days in hopes of a Class B medal.
The Bear's teammates, meanwhile, will root him on after they finished eighth overall during district competition, which was delayed a day by rainy weather on May 17th.
Fort Calhoun was 11th in Wayne as Elkhorn Mount Michael, Columbus Lakeview and the host Blue Devils qualified for the state tournament with their top-three team finishes.
Mount Michael's Jacob Goertz was the overall individual medalist, shooting an even 72 for the tournament.
'Steady' play propels Chaffee
Chaffee played a steady 18 holes May 18th, finishing with 82 strokes for eighth in Wayne.
“Not really on, but made some putts on the last four (holes),” Udey said after his BHS squad finished with 383 total swings.
The Bears' state-qualifier closed his round with two birdies — one on No. 5 and the other on his 18th-hole chip. He shot par on six more holes, too.
Connor Wayman, meanwhile shot a 97. He also sunk a birdie attempt on the par-4 No. 5 hole, while Adam Grote, Luke Ladwig and Landen Oppliger all carded 102 strokes for the day.
“Proud of all the rest,” Udey said. “They played the second nine (holes) better than the first.”
Oppliger shot par on four holes, while Grote finished three with par putts and Ladwig two.
“All four got off to a rocky start, but improved through the day,” the BHS coach said.
Udey was also able to watch his two varsity seniors — Grote and Ladwig — shoot par on the final holes of their prep careers.
Improved Pioneers close season
The Fort Calhoun golf season closed with 400 strokes May 18th at Wayne Country Club.
“It definitely was a successful year with improved scores individually and as a team,” coach Dustin Humphrey said. “I believe we met and exceeded some — if not all — of our goals set at the beginning of the year.”
Senior Landon Miller led the Pioneers' district effort with an 18-hole 91. He shot par on just two holes, but avoided double or triple bogies on all but two more to finish 21st overall.
“Landon's experience in the program was a major benefit, allowing him to persevere through adversities,” Humphrey said. “His decision-making on the course allowed him to see success.”
Another senior, Owen Newbold, capped his first and last FCHS golf season with 96 strokes. He sunk a birdie shot on No. 2 and shot par on two more holes in Wayne.
“It's always good when an athlete with golf experience wants to join the team,” Humphrey said. “We enjoyed having him on the team, and his abilities brought the team some extra success.”
The Pioneers' Owen Miller added 105 swings, while Dylan Boldt shot a district 108. Senior Tyler Eastman carded a 122, too.
“This was a fun group of Pioneers to coach this year and our future looks bright,” Humphrey said.
