April 18, 2024

SWCC golf aiming for improvements through fall season

By TYLER HETU

Southwestern Community College's fall golf season is underway. The Spartans have played two meets and are looking to make improvements through the fall, head coach Dough North said. "... Right now, I'm actually pleased with the process we've made. I wasn't sure what to expect going into our first tournaments with the guys we've got. ... Scores might not indicate where we're at, but they're all for wanting to be better." (Contributed photo)

Southwestern golf kicked off the season last week, playing in back-to-back tournaments in Lamoni and at home to open the 2020 fall season.

The Spartan men placed fourth (+64) at the Graceland Invitational Thursday and were fourth (+53) at the War at the Moor at Creston’s Crestmoor Golf Course.

SWCC’s women’s team did not have enough players to fill a scoring team, so its two golfers scored as individuals.

SWCC head coach Doug North said the Spartans are not where they want to be quite yet after just two tournament appearances, but the work ethic is where is needs to be.

“Definitely not where we need to be,” said North. “... Right now, I’m actually pleased with the process we’ve made. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into our first tournaments with the guys we’ve got. ... Scores might not indicate where we’re at, but they’re all for wanting to be better.”

The Spartan men were led by Zayne Osborn’s seven over par at the Graceland Invitational. Ethan Brumbaugh (+11), Harrison Galea (+13) and Hayden Green (+33) rounded out scoring for the men. The group had a combined eight birdies across 18 holes, each.

At their home meet, the Spartan men were led by Brumbaugh’s 10 over par. Osbourn and Galea were right behind him at +11. Green rounded out the scoring with a +21.

North said there’s three international men’s golfers that are committed to joining the program, but have not been able to get on campus due to travel regulations changing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“(They) weren’t able to make it to campus in time for the start of school or anything, having trouble with visa and travel with COVID affecting their plans,” said North. “I think we’ll look differently this spring.”

On the girls side, it is a two-woman show for Southwestern. The Spartans sent out Caitlin Clark and Brooklyn Housley as its lone rostered women.

At the War at the Moor, Clark shot a +27 to tie for 10th in the field. Housley shot a +54.

North said that there’s ample room for improvement for the two, who don’t have a deep history of playing golf at the collegiate level. Both are freshmen, and played in high school.

“Very similar to the guys, I think (Clark and Housley) will post personal bests. ... They both incredibly enjoy the game and know what’s expected, know how to get better,” said North. “... They both know they can improve very easily and know what they need to do to improve. We just haven’t got there yet.”

With still much to improve on for both sides, North said a big obstacle is the mental part of the game.

“Mentally, its big. We’ve had a few guys who are a few under par through six or nine holes and try to protect that score, rather than continue to play aggressive and go lower. ... That never fares well, and that’s definitely a learning curve,” North said.

With a spring season still on the horizon, and a few weeks left of the fall season, North said he’s happy the group is competing and playing after the uncertainties of not playing at all this fall.