Panther golfers tested by tough course

PELLA – Creston/O-M boys golf traveled to Pella and took part on a tough course, posting a 398 team score over the course of the 18-hole event Friday.

Freshman Colby Burg once again brought the lowest Panther score into the clubhouse at the Bos Landen Golf Course, shooting a 94. The event is traditionally played during the Friday of the Masters tournament, but was re-scheduled due to weather. Grinnell's Lucas Scherf fired a 1-over par 73 to win the windswept event. 

Brayton Chesnut was the other Panther to shoot under 100, registering a 98. Strider shot a 55 through the front nine, but managed a 48 through the back half of the course. Strider birdied hole No. 12.

“Bos is the course that will eat you up if you are not careful. With the young boys, back to back 18 hole tournaments and bad weather looming over our heads, we learned a lot of lessons the hard way,” said head coach Jon Thomson. “With that being said I was very pleased with the performance. The boys that played last year improved and for the first timers I was happy.”

Cole Strider and Beau Thompson shot a 103 through the day while Hayden Green brought in a 125.

Connor Travis rebounded from a tough start to his varsity career with a 129, 13 strokes better than his first outing.

“We still need to make a stronger effort in our short game especially the putting. I know it’s not an exciting or as a fun part of the game but it will tack on the strokes in a hurry if you are not careful. Too many three puts and a few four puts left on the course,” Thomson said.

Team scoring — 1. Pella 337; 2. Washington 339; 3. PCM 341; 4. Grinnell 348; 5. Benton Community 351; 6. Williamsburg 359; 7. Oskaloosa 360; 8. Dallas Center-Grimes 368; 9. Knoxville 381; 10. Clear Lake 386; 11. Creston/O-M 398.

UP NEXT – Weather permitting, the boys team will be traveling to Clarinda today (Monday).