Pollock guides Broncbuster golf to runner-up finish in Jayhawk
By Mike Pilosof
Newton, KS-Garden City Golf Coach John Green knew it would happen eventually.
"There was never any doubt that my guys would figure it out," he said. "It took us a little while, but they grew up really fast."
Sophomore Dominic Pollock finished as the Jayhawk Conference runner-up behind Dodge City's Witchayapat Sinsrang while his team took second place at the Jayhawk Championships at Sand Creek Station on Tuesday.
"My game improved leaps and bounds from when I first started," Pollock said afterwards. "But I'm disappointed in myself because I had a chance to win it."
Pollock had a lead late in round three before Sinsrang rallied to overtake him with back-to-back birdies, finishing the tournament 5-under par; Pollock was 4-under.
"Dominic has proven himself to be a Division-I golfer," Green said. "There is a place for him at the next level."
Pollock's team also proved their worth, finishing just four strokes back of the third-ranked Conquistadors after a third-round 297.
"We have so much more confidence now," Green said. "I'm very proud of these guys."
Garden City shot rounds of 292, 293 and 297 on Tuesday, which was actually two shots better than Dodge City over the final 18 holes.
"Dodge City is a good measuring stick," Green said. "Our guys rose to the challenge."
Luke Russell, Nathan Roy, Scott Campbell and Jordan Bishop all found their way into the top 20, with the first three finishing tied for 15th while Bishop was 18th.
Garden City moves into district play next week in Topeka before hosting the national tournament at Buffalo Dunes in May. The top four out of seven teams competing in next week's district championships will qualify for the final event with the Broncbusters already punching their ticket since they are the host school.
"We have a lot to play for still," Green said. "That's motivation in itself, and our guys are playing really well."
Notes: Pollock was named to the first-team all-Jayhawk team