Five things to watch at the Kansas boys golf state tournaments

The state tournaments — the final 18 holes (or more?) of the Kansas boys golf season — begin this morning around the state. Here are a few storylines to monitor.

One more for the résumé?Blue Valley West senior Curtis Yonke is the reigning Kansas 6A state champion and has accumulated quite the collection of accolades and accomplishments over the last two seasons.

He’ll try for one more today when he looks to defend his state title against a challenging 6A field at Shawnee Country Club in Topeka (8:30 a.m. start). Yonke enters play with wins in his last three events — including a regional title last week.

“If I win it again this year, I’ve proved myself on the biggest level of high school golf twice in a row,” Yonke said. “It’s a huge deal.”

The top challengerBlue Valley North junior Harry Higgs finished in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard at the 6A state tournament last year and, after a playoff, ended up second to Yonke.

The two, who have developed a friendly rivalry, have both been near the top of the leaderboard at most events this season. Higgs won the East Kansas League championship over Yonke and is another top 6A contender today.

Back for more in 5AThe St. Thomas Aquinas boys have won the last two Kansas 5A state titles, and Saints sophomore Joe Winslow is the reigning 5A individual state champion. Winslow and his teammates will look to repeat today at Emporia Municipal Golf Course (9 a.m. start).

More in store for the Lancers?Shawnee Mission East claimed the 6A state title last year by a 5-stroke margin and returns four golfers from that team. The Lancers were second at regionals last week but are always a threat.

At home in TopekaThe Blue Valley boys played some of their best golf of the season last month when they shot a winning 303 at the Washburn Rural Invitational — which just happened to be played at Shawnee Country Club, site of the 6A state tournament today. The Tigers, who won their regional tournament last week with a 308, are a legitimate state title contender.

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