Ankeny boys’ golf coach Mike Weddingfeld said after Thursday’s Waukee Northwest Invitational at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk that none of his players felt like they were playing their best golf. Yet.
What a difference five days can make.
The Hawks shot a 277 on Tuesday to defeat Valley and Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Willow Creek. It’s the lowest score for Ankeny on any course since the team posted a 275 total in the opening round of the CIML Invitational in 1999.
“What a day for the Hawks!” said Weddingfeld, whose squad improved its record to 4-2 in the conference. “I have never had a team shoot 7-under-par so today’s round has to be a record (since I’ve been here).”
Ankeny had finished 11 strokes behind Valley and 10 shots behind Dowling at the Northwest Invitational. On Tuesday, the Tigers shot a 287 and the Maroons finished with a 290.
Drew Hensen carded a 5-under 66 to lead the Hawks, earning medalist honors for the fifth time in six meets this season. He had four birdies on the front nine and three more on the back nine.
Ankeny’s Jacob Adams shot a 68, while Duncan Beelner had a 69.
“Having Drew, Duncan and Jacob shoot in the 60s is phenomenal!” Weddingfeld said. “We know that we have guys that can go low and today the team proved it. Drew and Duncan continue to play very steady golf and are two guys that we can always seem to count on. It was really nice to see Jacob step up and go low today, and I think that will go a long way for his confidence moving forward.”
Kyler Crimmins fired a 74 for the Hawks, Nick Meyer had a 79, and Evan Hodapp added an 81.
“Hats off to Kyler as well as a 74 is also a great score, and he is another guy that is playing consistent day in and day out,” Weddingfeld said. “I think the fact that we have different guys’ scores counting from day to day shows that we are a strong team and all six scores are important. When one guy has an off day, another guy steps in with a solid round and that is what makes a team successful. It was really exciting for the team today, and I am very proud of all six guys. We continue to improve from day to day so we are going to keep doing what we are doing and get back at it (Wednesday) at our home invite.”
The Hawks will host the Ankeny Invitational on Wednesday at Otter Creek.