By John Mesh
Maize High School senior Kinslea Jones shot a 13-under-par 58 at the Buhler Varsity Invitational Friday on the par-71 Hesston Golf Course.
Yes, you read that right. A 58.
Jones won first-place medalist honors by 10 strokes over Newton’s Naomi Koontz, who fired a 3-under-par 68. Augusta’s Kaylee Cox was third with a 71, followed by Concordia’s Mya Niehues with a 72.
The 58 shattered Jones’ previous low of 64, broke the course record in Hesston and officials are confirming with the KSHSAA to see if it is a state record.
The 58 included 11 birdies, an eagle and only 23 putts.
“It’s definitely not something that very many people can say that they’ve done,” Jones told The Wichita Eagle. “The course played a little bit shorter than what I’m used to playing in the summer, but still to be able to go low, that low, it’s kind of crazy. It’s a little bit overwhelming right now.”
Jones is a three-time state champion and will play collegiate golf at the University of Kansas. She won two Class 5A state titles for Maize in 2021 and 2022 and a 6A state title for Maize in 2023.
Jones, who entered her senior season in high school with 25 high school victories, was awarded a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Women’s All-Pro Heritage Classic in Wichita in July 2024.
She is the granddaughter of former PGA Tour golfer and retired Wichita State University men’s golf coach Grier Jones.
Buhler’s top-finishing golfer was Anika Paulsrud, who tied for fifth with McPherson’s Brodie Kuhn at 76.
Buhler’s Macy Miller placed 12th with an 82, Juliette Shank tied for 25th place at 83, Addison Specht tied for 35th at 97, Harlie Terrell tied for 38th at 98 and Paityn Weber tied for 52nd at 102.
Maize’s Charlotte Herbs placed 11th with an 81. Teammate Jayden Ramsey tied for 21st at 90, followed by Emma Hays tied for 23rd at 92, Hailey Topping tied for 33rd at 95 and Abigail Cavazos tied for 42nd at 99.
McPherson’s Andi Buschboom tied for 13th at 84, Reese Elliott tied for 21st at 90. Pera Bauer tie for 38th at 98, Hattie Gibson toed for 47th at 100 and Amelia Moody tied for 70th at 108.
Wellington placed four golfers in the top 25 — Tara Viramontes tied for 8th at 79, Claire Ginter was 10th at 80, Presley Cornejo tied for 13th at 84 and Kenna Maxwell tied for 25th at 93. Bella Angleton tied for 35th at 97, Haley Gulch tied for 47th at 100 and Ava Bales tied for 63rd at 106.
Maize won the team title with a 321 score, followed by Wellington 340, McPherson 348, Buhler 348, Augusta 363, Goddard-Eisenhower 368, Winfield 376, Hesston 377, Andover Central 378, Concordia 387, Hays 387, Salina South 398, Newton 414, Towanda-Circle 423, Andale 423, Rock Creek 429, Cheney 431 and Clay Center 463.