Wilson tops strong field at Alvamar

While a crowd of golfers, coaches and parents gathered around the Alvamar Golf Club scoreboard Thursday waiting for official results, Lawrence High’s Sydney Wilson strolled off by herself to the practice green to roll some putts.

“It was just something to kind of relax myself, because I knew in this tournament there was the possibility of a playoff,” Wilson said. “I wanted to keep myself focused, but relaxed. And you can never hit enough putts.”

Wilson will have to wait until next week to see how her extra work paid off. She only needed the regulation 18 holes to claim her second major tournament in the last two weeks, finishing with a 3-over 75 to win the Lawrence Invitational.

The LHS senior finished two shots ahead of runner-up Rachel Halloran of Blue Valley North, topping a power-packed 22-team field that included eight golfers who broke 80 in the balmy, wind-free conditions.

Lawrence High's Sydney Wilson smiles during the Lawrence Invitational. Wilson won the event by two shots with a 3-over-par 75 on Thursday at Alvamar Golf Club.

“I played pretty well,” Wilson said. “The front, I was up-and-down. … I didn’t have a single 4.”

What she did have was an eagle 3 on No. 2, the longest hole on the course. That provided an early cushion and set the stage for a 37 at the turn, which Wilson followed with a 38 on the back nine.

Wilson’s total was three shots better than the 78 she fired last week to win the Firebird Invitational by seven strokes.

“I think today was definitely a bigger accomplishment,” Wilson said. “This was a much larger field, and I know the Manhattan and Blue Valley schools are always strong.”

Wilson’s score was part of a strong LHS effort that accounted for a 10th-place tie in the team standings with 392 shots – a 50-shot improvement from the Firebird event.

A big reason for the jump was improved play by Brittany Laughlin, who shot 110, and the return to the lineup of Jamie Shmalberg, who missed last week’s tournament but came through Thursday with a 90.

“It was nice to have Brittany come in and shoot a good round for her,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said. “I’m happy with what Jamie did today. I think she came in and played well and competed.”

After Wilson, the top local effort came from Free State’s Katy Hoffman, who shot matching 49s to post a career-low 98. However, Hoffman’s score didn’t count toward a team total, as the Firebirds fielded just two golfers in the event.

Free State High golfer Katy Hoffman watches a drive during the Lawrence Invitational. Hoffman shot 98 Thursday at Alvamar Golf Club.

“We started to run out of events, and we’re at the point where we’re trying to figure out what are the appropriate events for our golfers,” Free State coach Craig Hershiser said before shifting his focus to Hoffman.

“To come out and shoot that on a course as demanding as Alvamar, she’s really proud of it, and I’m proud of her.”

Manhattan won the team event with 325 strokes, followed by Blue Valley North (336) and Washburn Rural (343). Rural also had the low score at the Firebird invite, allowing the Junior Blues to retain the trophy presented to the team posting the lowest combined score from the two Lawrence events.

Thursday’s tournament also served as the first half of the Sunflower League tournament. Shawnee Mission East (378) will take the top score into the second round Oct. 4 at Ironhorse Golf Club in Leawood.