The Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf team opened its season on Monday with a second-place finish in the Jesse Peck Invitational at Briarwood Golf Club.
Southeast Polk won the nine-team meet with a 303 total. The Jaguars, who had won the title in each of the previous five years, finished with a 309–four strokes better than Indianola.
“Like I told the boys last week, we have to be around the 300 number to compete,” said Centennial coach Rick Fee. “Today we had many players who got off to rough starts. We need to focus on our starting three holes and our finishing three holes. Most of the strokes we give away are in that area.”
A light rain fell throughout the day.
“The rain wasn’t as bad as I thought going into the round, but my bag got very wet going into the last few holes,” said Centennial senior Danny Paulson. “It was a very fun day out there.”
Paulson carded a 76 to lead the Jaguars. He placed seventh as an individual.
“I was pretty happy with my score,” Paulson said. “I left a few shots out there, but I felt really good with my irons and short game. I really wanted to help the team win at home, but Southeast Polk played very well.”
Paulson was followed closely by the duo of Gable Strother and Lawson Hachmeister. They each shot a 77, placing ninth and 10th, respectively.
“Danny had a great day and stepped up for us!” Fee said. “Lawson grinded the whole round and kept us in the mix with his round.”
Cal Johnson placed 14th for the Jaguars with a 79. Zach Hoffman had an 81, and Ben Meier added an 82.
“The conditions were wet today, but it was warm enough to where it wasn’t horrible to be in the rain all day,” Fee said. “Luckily, it wasn’t windy!”
Zach Julander of Southeast Polk fired a 1-over-par 73 to earn medalist honors. Cooper Sebastian of Urbandale was the runner-up with a 74.
Centennial will compete in a CIML Conference triangular meet against Dowling Catholic and Waukee Northwest on Wednesday at The Legacy Golf Club.