When Lawrence High’s foursome came off the final hole, giggling and laughing and ready to report its score, it was clear just how much fun they had during Thursday’s scramble at Lawrence Country Club.

It helped that the Lions  Whitney Juneau, Kelly Jacob, Lauren Miller and Hailey Griffith  shot a 40, good for third place in the nine-hole tournament.

But Thursday’s scramble, the final tune-up before Monday’s 6A regional in Manhattan, provided some relief that some coaches think should happen more often.

Some teams use the allotted play dates strictly for large tournaments, but Lawrence and Free State High like the contrast a scramble brings.

“A lot of coaches don’t like to give up that play date for a scramble,” FSHS coach Steve Grant said.

“But I think the girls like it. When you have your smaller tournaments  four, five teams  it’s kind of fun to do those things.”

Free State essentially played with a junior varsity team because most of its varsity traveled to Manhattan for a practice round.

The Firebirds  Bree Beasley, Candace Bailey, Amanda Enneking and Ashley Robinson  finished last in the seven-team tournament, carding a 45.

Leavenworth won the event, shooting 37, one better than second-place finisher Olathe North.

A scramble  in this instance where four players hit shots, then the best ball is played from that position  usually results in a low score, which accounts for the winning score. But scrambles also can be fun because they keep one person from moping about bad shots.

“We did a two-person scotch last year, which isn’t as much fun as a scramble, but the girls still have a good time,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said.

Lawrence High Scramble

Thursday at Lawrence Country Club

Team scores

 Leavenworth 37. 2. Olathe North 38. 3. Lawrence High 40. 4. (tie) Blue Valley North, Olathe East, Overland Park Aquinas 41. 7. Free State 45.