SWCC golf aims to improve little things

SWCC sophomore Bianca Findlay bested her way through the entirety of the field at last Tuesday’s home “War at the Moor,” at Crestmoor Golf Club, besting a group that included participants from Simpson College, William Penn, Graceland University, NIACC and Cottey College.

Findlay’s 78, 6-over bested a group that included numerous NAIA athletes.

Creston’s own Madison Hance finished in 15th place for Simpson College with her score of 89.Hance is now a junior on the team.

Creston native and varsity member Ashton Carter was out of action due to a planned family trip.

All involved battled off-and-on rain that mostly stayed light, but hammered down briefly at times.

“We’ve been so dry, and that changed real quick as we were trying to host our first ever ‘War at the Moor’ tournaments” said SWCC coach Doug North in a press release. “We were able to get the women’s tournament in, but Friday morning continued to rain, so the guys weren’t as fortunate. We are going to try to reschedule for later this fall at a date that would work for all participating schools.”

SWCC was in competition Monday at NIACC. More about that performance from the men and women will be in a future edition of the News Advertiser.

Season outlook

A group of local athletes, Carter, freshman Katelyn Belding of Lenox and sophomore Megan Fairchild of Stuart help make up this year’s group of fall SWCC women golfers.

Findlay, the aforementioned winner of “War at the Moor” returns after competing at the national tournament in the spring.

On the men’s side, Creston’s Kyle Somers is pencilled into the varsity lineup and helps make up a large group of Spartans with notable experience.

Returning national qualifiers, sophomores Reinhardt Saunderson (Whangaparaoa, Auckland, New Zealand) and Oliver Pearson (Melbourne, Australia) help lead an important group of Spartan sophomores. Sophomore Shaun Richards (Grovedale, Victoria, Australia) is also returning from last year’s everyday top five.

Spartans with Iowa/local ties include freshman Colton Book (Glenwood), freshman Mitch Carroll (Stansberry, Missouri), sophomore McCabe Johnston-Herzog (West Des Moines) and sophomore Jesper Holke-Farnam (Grundy Center).

“On the guys’ side, there’s a lot of depth,” North said. “We have 12 guys on the roster and eight of them are fighting for the top five spots... I think that (depth) will get even deeper.”

For now, North is hoping a schedule that includes four more men’s fall events and three additional women’s events (after Monday’s invitational at NIACC), enables the Spartans to build.

“The fall is for getting a foundation set and to get familiar with everything and then spring is where you’re really going to go,” North said. “... Learning the little tricks and the little tips and little ways to make golf a simpler game,” North also added.

SWCC “War at the Moor” cards (placing out of 37 competitors) — 1. Bianca Findlay 78; 26. Sarah Rauschenberg 97; 35. Katelyn Belding 111; 36. Megan Fairchild 115.