MAYETTA — The wind stiffened, the pin placements toughened, and the scores climbed Wednesday at Firekeeper Golf Course. None of it mattered to Shawnee Mission East. 

When the course turned difficult, the Lancers simply turned tougher. 

Shawnee Mission East captured its second straight Class 6A state championship Wednesday, grinding through a challenging final round to finish with a two-day total of 586 and secure the program’s third title in the last four seasons. 

After entering the day tied with Blue Valley North at even-par 288, the Lancers separated themselves from the field with steady, team-first golf as Olathe Northwest finished runner-up at 591 and Blue Valley North slipped to third at 594. 

“It was a total team effort again this year,” Shawnee Mission East coach Evan Scobie said. “After round one, I told the guys I had never seen six guys play 18 holes and not make one putt. So going into day two, we figured they were due. Quite honestly, they did not make too many on day two either, but grinded it out. It says a lot about six guys that care about the team winning versus the individual trophy.” 

 

The title didn’t come easy. Firekeeper played considerably harder in the final round, with demanding pin locations frustrating even the top golfers in the state. But East’s veteran-heavy lineup handled the adversity. 

“We knew we had the talent to go under par and credit to Blue Valley North and Olathe Northwest — both of those teams are so talented,” Scobie said. “Maybe having five seniors and Stuart Boulware, who might as well be a senior with all the major tournaments he has played in, nothing was going to faze him. The pin locations on day two really presented some challenges for everybody, and I think that is why you saw scores go up.” 

Junior Stuart Boulware looked poised to help East complete a sweep of the team and individual titles. One of Kansas’ top golfers, Boulware led much of the tournament and held control late before a difficult finish altered the medalist race. 

 

Boulware suffered three bogeys over his final six holes, opening the door for Blue Valley North’s Drew Krystyn and Manhattan’s Charlie Haney to surge into a tie atop the leaderboard at 4-under-par. Krystyn eventually won the individual title in a playoff, while Boulware finished tied for third with Olathe Northwest’s Jack Butterbaugh at 3-under. 

Still, Boulware’s play anchored another championship effort for the Lancers. 

“Stuart was solid day one,” Scobie said. “The speed he has and his ball striking is so much better than most of the players. He just did not make anything both rounds, which shows you the level of talent he has. I know he was disappointed, but his ceiling is limitless and he has bigger tournaments on his radar that he will be competing in and winning in the future. I think he will be the best player to come out of Kansas City in a long time.” 

 

As impressive as Boulware was, East’s depth once again proved to be the difference. 

Senior Elliott Cowden turned in one of the tournament’s best performances, finishing seventh with a 2-over-par 146. Senior Porter Howard added another steady postseason performance, tying for 10th with a 149, while Hudson Bennish placed 15th after carding a 150. 

Luke Taylor added perhaps the feel-good moment of the tournament for the Lancers. After narrowly missing out on the state lineup in previous seasons, Taylor delivered a strong finish with a final-round 74 to medal in 20th place with a 152. 

“I thought all the guys grinded it out,” Scobie said. “Luke Taylor finishing with 74 as our number five guy is great. He’s such a great story because he’s been on the cut to make the state team for three years and worked so hard to get there this year and it paid off on day two.” 

Scobie also praised the consistency of Bennish and Howard, along with the steady presence of Josh Wehner, who carded a 161 and embraced his role throughout the season. 

 

“Hudson Bennish is one of the best players in the state and his 71 on day one was probably just average for him, but he has been solid ever since his freshman year,” Scobie said. “Porter Howard was rock solid again and did not get much help from his putter, but you know he’s going to give you solid scores. Elliott could be our number one and without a doubt is the best No. 3 player in the state. Josh struggled somewhat but has great energy and is 100 percent team focused.” 

For Scobie, the repeat title may stand apart from the others. 

“I have been very lucky coaching at Shawnee Mission East and have had great players,” he said. “But this was by far, top to bottom, the best team I have ever coached. High-character young men from great families and super talented.” 

CLASS 6A STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT 

TEAM SCORES 
1. Shawnee Mission East 581, 2. Olathe Northwest 591, 3. Blue Valley North 594, 4. Blue Valley West 596, 5. Blue Valley 607, 6. Manhattan 627