CAPTION: The Hutchinson Central Christian High School Cougar boys golf team poses with the Kansas Class 1A state championship trophy. The tournament was held May 30-31 at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City. From left: Coach Michelle Capps, Ry Kooiman, Cael Kooiman, Brody Froese, Tarren Scripsick, Tyler Reed, Nate Reed, Coach Bob Capps. CREDIT COURTESY OF MICHELLE CAPPS/HUTCHINSON CENTRAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
By John Mesh
Friendship and fun sparked the Hutchinson Central Christian High School boys golf team.
The Cougars recently won the Kansas Class 1A state golf tournament championship at Dodge City’s Mariah Hills Golf Course with a 633 score — 17 strokes better than runner-up South Gray.
The Cougars snapped South Gray’s streak of 29 straight tournament victories.
Central Christian won the state title in 2022 and placed second to South Gray in 2024.
The Cougars also won their fourth straight regional title, the WSL/HOPL championship (by 79 strokes), their own invite title and the Solomon Invitational (by 47 strokes).
The Cougars placed second in the Hutchinson Trinity Invitational to the host Celtics in 2025 and were second in two other tournaments.
The Cougars are coached by “Team Capps” — Michelle and Bob Capps.
“My husband Bob and I coach the boys,” Michelle Capps said. “I do more of the administrative duties. I work with the AD’s, run tournaments and be the support system. Bob is their swing coach and works with them on their game. Over the last five years, we have been blessed to coach 33 young men. This season has been so much fun.”
In 2025, the Cougars were blessed with two sets of brothers — Ry and Cael Kooiman and Nathan and Tyler Reed. The Kooimans are cousins of Hutchinson Trinity golfer Lincoln Barnes. The two programs have a friendly rivalry.
Ry Kooiman posted a 75 average during the regular season with three first-place finishes, one second-place finish and one third-place finish. He placed first in the league tournament, second at regionals and third at state.
Cael Kooiman had a 78 average during the regular season, one first-place finish and three second-place finishes. He placed third in the league tournament, first at regionals and seventh at state.
Nathan Reed had an 82 average during the regular season with one first-place finish and one second-place effort. He was fifth at league, fifth at regionals and eighth at state.
Tyler Reed had an 86 average during the season. He was sixth at league, eighth at regionals and eighth at state.
Ry Kooiman and Nathan Reed are four-time top finishers at state.
Brody Froese tied for 51st at state and Tarren Scripsick placed 53rd.
“The boys are all great friends,” Michelle Capps said. “One of the neatest things about our golf team this year is we have two sets of brothers. When the little brothers were old enough to join the team, it made for some great competition. Ry and Cael Kooiman and Nate and Tyler Reed have been playing golf together since they were in junior golf at Prairie Dunes.
“Since Ry and Nate were on the winning team in 2022, Cael and Tyler wanted to also win a state championship. That fueled the boys to work really hard this year since it’s the only year they would all be on the team together.”
Ry Kooiman said 2025 was a really fun season with a great ending: the championship.
“I think we just all had a blast practicing and playing golf all year,” Ry Kooiman said. “We are great friends with each other and also with the guys from Trinity High School. We didn’t like losing to each other, and I think it fueled us to try and get better every day. In the end, we just had fun and there was no pressure because we had put in the work.”
Cael Kooiman said competing for another state title was a lot of fun.
“I love state golf because I get to do one of my favorite sports with some of my favorite people, including my brother,” Cael Kooiman said. “Before state, we went into it care-free because we didn’t win last year, and I think that made us less nervous.
“During the rain delay, all the guys were in the van cracking jokes and laughing because we were just there to have fun, play some golf, and in the process, maybe get a ring. Overall, some of us might not have done the best individually, at least for me shooting six or seven over (par), but as a team we got the job done.
Tyler Reed said he was looking forward to playing in the state tournament.
“I remember a couple of years back we were talking about us brothers would have one season together,” Tyler Reed said. “It’s been a lot of hard work and many days spent grinding on the course, and I couldn’t have asked for a better result. The fact I got to do it with my brother and best friends was awesome.”
Brody Froese said all the time the Cougar golfers put into winning the title was worth it:
“All the time spent together on the course learning new stuff about each other and bonding over a game we all love to play,” Froese said.
Coach Bob Capps said the hard work and preparation paid off for the Cougars.
“The golfers worked hard during team practice and on their own time,” Bob Capps said. “Our team time emphasized attitude, course management and a game plan to perform at state.”
The Cougars had many inspirational sayings to help motivate them:
Nathan Reed coined the phrase “1000 percent” and it became the team perspective.
The Cougar players also had a humorous phrase this year: “Perfect” in a parrot voice.
“We laughed so many times over that one,” Michelle Capps said.
“In team prayer, our players asked for God’s help to be their best and gave him all the glory,” Michelle Capps added. “Our 2025 team took first at state with a humble attitude and showed great class. The state tournament was a culmination of hard work, and a faith in God and team.
“A big shout out goes to the CCS golfer parents. Their travel to every tournament, encouragement and support were huge in our state title. Thank you to each and every one of you.”