The Ankeny boys’ golf team came away with a split on Monday in a CIML Conference triangular meet held in steamy conditions at Beaver Creek.
The Hawks posted four scores in the 70s and finished with a 301 total. They lost to Johnston (298) by three strokes, but easily defeated Urbandale (369).
“It was really hot, but a good day for the Hawks,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld. “Johnston is the defending state champs and shot a solid round to beat us by three strokes so it was good to compete with them. I was happy with a 301.”
Ankeny’s Drew Hensen carded a 2-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors for the second straight meet. Andrew Johannsen of Johnston also shot a 70, but lost a cardoff to Hensen.
Hensen had five birdies on the day, including one on the par-4, No. 7 hole that is considered the toughest hole on the course. Johannsen made a par on that hole.
“Drew played another great round,” Weddingfeld said.
Duncan Beelner fired a 75 for the Hawks. His round included 15 pars, but he had a triple bogey 8 on the 12th hole.
Evan Hodapp and Jacob Adams each carded a 78. Kyler Crimmins had an 80, and Caden Weddingfeld added an 89.
“We are still focusing on getting better mentally,” Weddingfeld said. “The boys I think are concentrating on shooting a certain score instead of focusing on the next shot they have. We talk about that a lot, but I still have kids talking about a bad shot or a bad break three holes after it happened so that means it is still on their minds. We have kids that can shoot low scores, but golf is a tough game and you don’t shoot your best every day and I think sometimes they forget that.”
Ankeny will travel to Copper Creek on Thursday for another conference triangular meet against Ankeny Centennial and Southeast Polk. The Hawks’ lineup will likely look a little different.
“I think Caden should probably have not played today and rested his wrist longer as he started out OK but just doesn’t have any power in his swing right now,” Weddingfeld said of his son. “We may have both jumped the gun hoping that he was healed. The good news is I think we have some guys that can step into a varsity role and help us out.”