The Ankeny girls’ golf team overcame the chilly conditions to earn a fourth-place finish in the season-opening Waukee Northwest Invitational on Monday at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk.
Despite temperatures in the 30s when the meet began at 10 a.m., the Hawkettes went on to shoot a score of 390. That was 23 strokes better than what they posted at the same meet last year.
“Today was a cold but strong start for us,” said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. “The girls set the goal to medal as a team and we fell a little short, but fourth is still a great start against some strong competitors.”
Northwest shot a 335 to win the meet for the third straight year. Norwalk was second in the eight-team field with a 355, while Clear Lake took third with a 374.
Sophomore Madalyn Ross carded a 13-over-par 85 to lead Ankeny. She tied for fourth place as an individual.
“I’m super proud of Madalyn!” Emke said.
Aubree Moeller fired a 100 for the Hawkettes. Gabby Haga shot a 101, Catherine Nelson had a 104, and Lydia Gerety added a 127.
It was the varsity debut for both Haga and Gerety.
“The cold conditions definitely didn’t do us any favors,” Emke said. “Ultimately, we have some improvements to make but our goals are within reach.”
Ankeny will face Northwest again in a triangular meet on Wednesday that will be hosted by Urbandale at the Urbandale Golf and Country Club. The action gets under way at 3:30 p.m.