BonnerSprings.com

Cody Wallace is headed back to state for the second straight year.

The Bonner Springs senior advanced to the Class 5A state tournament as an individual qualifier when he shot an 88 on Monday at Sunflower Hills Golf Course.

Although it was sunny and dry on Monday, the wind was brutal on the golfers and made it difficult for low scores to be achieved.

"It was a high score for me today, but the wind was not forgiving at all," Wallace said of his effort.

Wallace turned in his best round of the season last week when he placed second at the Kaw Valley League tournament at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence. Wallace shot a 78 at the league tournament, and he'd hoped to carry that momentum into regionals.

An 88 is not a typical score for Wallace, who struggled with his putter down the stretch on Monday. After drives that sliced the fairways in half, and approach shots that rolled to within 10 feet of the pin, Wallace could not buy a putt. An eight-footer on No. 16 lipped out. A 10-footer on No. 17 was just short and he rushed the tap in causing him to miss that too. Finally on No. 18 it looked like his putt was going to drop in the cup, but the ball turned left at the last moment.

Wallace hopes Monday's putting woes were a one-time thing. He had similar troubles at state last year when he also battled wind and nerves and shot a 92.

Wallace will take this year's state tournament as one last chance to prove to himself and everybody else that he is a very good golfer.

"I'm really frustrated with the way I played today. I know I can do better," he said.

Golf has meant a lot to Wallace, and he said it has motivated him to become a better student in school and has helped turn him into a gentleman.

After state, Wallace said he hopes that he will get an offer to play in college. However, if the offer does not come, he said he is happy with what he has accomplished in golf and will enjoy the sport for the rest of his life.

Wallace is slated to tee off at 10:20 a.m. Monday at the state tournament at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson. He is scheduled to play in a foursome that includes Christian Bechard of Topeka West, Audrey Yowell of McPherson and Kevin Diehl of Valley Center.