Wellington golf team places second at regional; Saffell wins regional championship
Sumner Newscow report – The Wellington Crusader boys golf team finished second at the Class 4A regional tournament held at Tallgrass Country Club in Wichita, Monday. Wellington will qualify as a team for the state tournament to be held at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield next Monday.
Blake Saffell
Wellington’s Blake Saffell was the individual 4A Regional Champion for the second consecutive year, winning on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.
Wichita Trinity dominated the tournament with a 317 cumulative score. Wellington placed second with 350. Other scores include Augusta 382, Circle 395, Mulvane 411 and Clearwater 426.
“I was very proud of our young men today and their performance on a golf course that played very tough,” said James Ginter, Wellington head golf coach.
Individually, Saffell finished tied with Caden Vanlandingham of Wichita Trinity with a 76 – five over par. He defeated four other Trinity golfers who shot, 76, 79, 80, and 82 that rounded out the top five of the tournament. Luke Scheuffler, who lives in Wellington, shot an 82 for Trinity for fifth place. (Individual results can be found here). 
Ginter said Saffell made a great drive that was followed by a beautiful chip in sudden death. He then rolled in a 10-foot putt to win the hole and the individual championship.
Deitrek Gill and Jace Lawrence both shot an 88 to finish two strokes out of top 10 medalist contention. Peyton Linker was Wellington’s fourth golfer, shooting a 98. Brett Wyckoff shot a 103 and Rylan Blasi had a 114.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete next week for the 4A state title,” Ginter said.
