Spartans contend at Graceland meet

LAMONI — The Southwestern Community College men’s golf team competed in the Graceland Invitational Thursday and took third in the 11-team field.

Missouri Valley and Iowa Central Community College tied for first at 11-over par 299, while the Spartans came in just two strikes back at 301 to edge the host Yellowjackets by two strokes.

Ollie Pearson led the Spartans in a third-place tie at 73. Tying for eighth place were Spartan teammates Shaun Richards and Reinhardt Saunderson at 75.

“Ollie has a mental toughness that is hard to find,” SWCC coach Doug North said. “He started off 3-over par and got his round to 1-under at one point, before finishing at 1-over. He is our leader and takes this loss hard, but hell bounce back.”

North said the Spartans played well in windy and dry conditions on the Lamoni Golf and Country Club course.

“With the lack of irrigation in the fairways, scores were higher than anticipated,” North said. “We definitely played some holes great, but we missed some part opportunities that we need to have as the season progresses. We battled much better than earlier this year.”

Graceland Men’s Invitational

Team scoring — 1. (tie) Missouri Valley and Iowa Central CC 299; 3. Southwestern CC 301; 4. Graceland University 303; 5. (tie) Missouri Valley (B) and Missouri Valley (C) 311; 7. North Central Missouri College 314; 8. Clarke University 317; 9. Clarke University (B) 329; 10. North Central Missouri College (B) 346; 11. Graceland University (B) 359.

SWCC (299) — 3. (tied) Ollie Pearson 73; 8. (tie) Shaun Richards 75, Reinhardt Saunderson 75; 22. (tie) Cam Arkema 78; 36. (tie) Wes Davis 79; 37. (tie) Patrick Coughlin 82; 54. (tie) Nate Woosley 95.