When the Seabury Academy boys golf team stamped its ticket to today’s Class 1A state tournament at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, it was due in no small part to the impact of senior Bill Gibbs.

Despite joining the team midway through the season, Gibbs has developed into one of the team’s top players this spring, shooting a 93 at last week’s regional meet at Cool Springs Golf Course to finish second on the team and tied for seventh overall as the Seahawks qualified for their first state tournament in school history.

“Bill was a big reason we were able to make it to the state meet,” Seabury coach Eric Edwards said. “He kind of had that senioritis, ‘I don’t want to play any sport.’ But he ended up deciding he wanted to play, and he’s really enjoyed it, and it’s really paid off.”

With Gibbs and Reed Grabill — who shot an 88 to place fifth overall at regionals — leading the way, the Seahawks overcame tough course conditions to shoot a 417 and beat out Frankfort for the third and final state spot by seven strokes.

Essentially, the two picked up where they left off following basketball season, when they helped Seabury to an 11-5 record in 2009-10.

“They’ve been instrumental in both seasons,” Edwards said.

Entering today’s tournament, Edwards said, the team hopes to place at least one golfer in the top 10, while using the experience as a springboard into next season.

“They’re really excited about it,” the coach said. “My team’s so young — four freshman, a junior and a senior on the varsity squad — so I’ve got a solid core returning next year, and it’s great to get this experience for them.”