By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

At Salina Municipal Golf Course, a golfer can make a mistake here and there and get away with it, said Hays High School boys' coach Mark Watts of Monday's site for the Class 5A Regional Championships. The meet starts at 8:30 a.m.

"Salina Muni, it's no secret, you can spray it around and score a little bit," Watts said.

Just stay away from a big number at one of the six par 3s on the course, where even par is 70.

"Par 3s are a little tough," Watts said. "Six par 3s, you want nothing worse than a bogey on the par 3s or it will tear your scorecard apart."

Scorecards have been in one piece for most of the season for the Indians as they seek another trip to state as a team. The top three teams and top five individuals not on one of the top three teams advance to next week's state meet at McPherson's Turkey Creek Golf Course.

Hays High enters the meet coming off winning the Western Athletic Conference Championships. Once again, Watts' goal is to get his seniors to state. One of those seniors, Shelby Steffen, is the team's No. 1 golfer for the regional after shooting a 75 to lead HHS with a third-place individual finish in the last WAC meet, at Liberal on Tuesday. Steffen had struggled at times this spring, but he appears back in form.

"Shelby came back with a 75," Watts said. "I think he's ready."

Another senior, Travis Kleweno, will be at No. 2, with freshman Travis Herman at No. 3 and another freshman, Nick VonLintel, at No. 4.

Junior Zach Patterson will be in the No. 5 slot, while Watts was unsure of who his No. 6 golfer would be heading into a practice round on Saturday in Salina. Junior Zach Danner, who has been on the varsity, won't play at the regional due to family commitments making him unavailable for state next week. Either senior Jason Ball or junior Nathan Windholz will be in the No. 6 spot.

"This is the time for our seniors," Watts said. "I really want our seniors to make it to state."

Watts is counting on his team's depth to make the difference.

"We're deep enough, somebody slips up, we're OK," Watts said. "I like to think we're deeper than anyone there."

TMP at 3A regional

The Thomas More Prep-Marian boys' golf team will play at the Lakin Class 3A Regional Championships on Monday. The meet starts at 9 a.m., with the top two teams and top five individuals not on the top two teams advancing to next week's state meet at Salina Municipal Golf Course.

Monarch senior Daniel Gross has paced the team this season, and has the best chance of advancing.