The Chieftains posted a team score of 364 — 16 strokes behind champion St. James Academy and one stroke ahead of third-place Bonner Springs — at Sunflower Hills Golf Course in Bonner Springs.

THS had four of its golfers place at the tournament. Freshman Colby Yates finished fourth, posting an 88, as did senior Dalton Lawson, who took fifth (tiebreakers are determined by seeing who had the better score on the first hole). Mitch DeHoff shot a 93 and finished 11th. Justin Soetaert was right behind him at 12th with 95 strokes. Justin Jacobs shot a 97.

THS coach Jared Jackson said he was pleased with his team’s performance in the season opener.

“We reduced our team score by 15 strokes from last year so that shows improvement,” Jackson said. “We need to continue to improve every week if we want to compete at a high level though.”

With just two varsity golfers, DeHoff and Lawson, returning from last year’s team, Jackson said it was good to start the season with a positive experience from which the players can learn.

Tonganoxie is scheduled to compete at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course in Spring Hill on Wednesday. Jackson said it is a great course and THS will be up against a competitive field so the Chieftains should expect a challenge.