The conditions weren’t ideal for the Toni Dickey Invitational on Thursday at Otter Creek.
The start of the girls’ golf tournament was delayed due to heavy rain in the morning. Then, once play began, the 12 teams in the field had to deal with intermittent rain and gusty winds.
“Mother Nature showed us all that she’s still in charge!” said Ankeny coach Seth Hagarty. “When I arrived the rain was pouring down, and the course was definitely not ready to go yet. Hats off to the grounds crew at Otter for quickly getting the course ready for play by 10 a.m. The first 90 minutes of play were absolutely gorgeous–it was sunny, not windy and actually warm! However, it quickly turned misty, windy and bitterly cold for the rest of the tournament.”
Southeast Polk shot a 337 to win the team title. Clear Lake was the runner-up with a 354.
Ankeny Centennial placed fifth with a 381. The Jaguars had shot a 174 on the front nine during Wednesday’s triangular meet at Otter Creek, which was played under more favorable conditions.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with our girls fighting through the cold, wind and rain with no complaints,” said Centennial coach John Petersen. “It was not a nice day to play golf.”
Ankeny finished 10th on its home course. The Hawkettes carded a 434.
“Our scores may not have been our best stuff, but I was still very proud of the girls’ grit and perseverance to continue to play with a positive attitude and to try and make the most of the day!” Hagarty said.
Valley’s Hallie Yates shot a 7-over-par 78 to earn medalist honors. Marshalltown’s Natalie Henson was the runner-up with an 80.
Centennial’s Payton Drefke carded an 85 to place eighth as an individual. She had a 39 on the back nine.
Olivia Joensen took 17th for the Jaguars with a 94. Vivian Wilson shot a 99, Kate Geiselhart had a 104, Brooke Ridout fired a 107, and Adelyne Peterson finished with a 112.
“After shooting 174 the day before, I think the girls were a little disappointed with our scores,” Petersen said. “But that is the consistency piece that we are working hard to improve on.”
Addison Smith fired a 94 to lead Ankeny. She placed 15th.
Isabella Ross carded a 102 for the Hawkettes. Gia Blaser shot a 118, Jori Webb had a 120, Gracie Block posted a 125, and Ava Sesker added a 127.
“The real excitement came after the tournament was over and after most of the teams had left,” Hagarty said. “Bill Dickey was in the house to present Gia and Jori with the first annual Toni Dickey Memorial Scholarships. They both received $1,000 toward their education at the University of Iowa in the fall. I am very proud of both of them, but even more in awe of the Dickey family and their continued support for the Ankeny girls’ golf program!”
Ankeny will play in the Turk Bowman Invitational on Monday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. Centennial will travel to the Linn-Mar Invitational on Tuesday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion.
