Instead of a shotgun start in which various groups of golfers tee-off at the same time from different holes, this year’s regional called for all golfers to start off at hole No. 1.

Large groups of fans followed the golfers on every hole, something that’s been uncommon at most of Tonganoxie’s meets this year.

Unfortunately for Tonganoxie, the Chieftains couldn’t equal its best team score in school history at the Kaw Valley League meet a week earlier.

At regionals, Tonganoxie finished ninth out of 10 teams as junior Cody Sims shot a team-best 91. Thanks to a difficult fifth hole, Sims had to play catch-up much of the day. The last state berth went to a golfer who shot an 86. For the third consecutive year, Sims was just short of reaching the state meet.

As a team, Tonganoxie finished with a 411 as Perry-Lecompton finished in last place.

“You can always say there’s next year but you hate to see every opportunity go by,” THS coach Steve Harrell said. “You never know what the future’s going to bring.”

Tonganoxie will have several juniors, sophomores and freshmen returning next year, but this year’s squad seemed poised for a strong regional after the league meet.

Following Sims for THS were Zack Pistora who shot a 100, Garrett Kelly who scored a 108 and Adam Reetz, who finished with a 112. Drew Scates and Chris Smith also participated.

Tonganoxie now will look to 2006, a year in which the Chieftains could continue to break more school records with so many golfers returning.

“I think overall it was a real positive year,” Harrell said. “There was a lot of progress.”