After losing to Ankeny Centennial by four shots in the Jesse Peck Invitational a week ago, the Ankeny boys’ golf team got some revenge Wednesday on the same course.
The Hawks shot a 313 to edge Centennial by one stroke in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Briarwood Golf Club. Valley finished a distant third with a 328 total.
“I was super happy with the outcome of today’s triangular,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld. “Anytime you can beat your rival on their home course, beat Valley and start out conference play 2-0, it is a good day.”
The Jaguars had shot a 306 and placed sixth at the Peck tournament. Ankeny had opened its season with a seventh-place finish.
“It was really a tough day overall,” Centennial coach Andrew Reedy said of Wednesday’s meet. “A lot of the kids made big numbers or didn’t get off to the start they wanted and got their heads down as a result. It really feels like we just can’t get four guys to play well or decent on the same day.”
Weddingfeld attributed the higher scores on Wednesday to the conditions.
“Briarwood was playing much differently today as there was some wind, and that caused the greens to firm up and play faster than the other day and not hold approach shots like they were,” he said. “But I thought the guys did a good job adjusting to the conditions and playing their games.”
Ankeny’s Drake Shadwick carded a 3-over-par 75 to earn medalist honors. He had shot a 79 a week ago.
“Drake eliminated his two shots that went out of bounds from his last round at Briarwood,” Weddingfeld said.
Everett Bloyer and Ricky Beckwith each shot a 76 for the Jaguars. They tied for runner-up honors.
“Everett had his best round of the season that included a 7 on hole No. 9, but he also had three birdies. I was happy with how he played overall,” Reedy said. “Ricky made his varsity debut, and I’m proud of him and the way he has gone about improving and competing.”
Oliver Bormann fired a 77 for the Hawks. Drew Boyd had a 78, and Trey Huynh shot an 83.
“I was happy how my top four scored today,” Weddingfeld said. “Oliver had a full set of clubs and played great, Drew continued to play solid, and Trey played a few strokes better than his score as on No. 18 he thought he hit his tee shot in the creek but it was actually in the rough by the green. So, he took his drop and then found his ball later so made double when he probably could have made par.
“That was a learning experience for him as we talked that mistake through after the round,” he added.
Ankeny’s Brody Burg shot an 89. Charlie McHose had a 90.
“I am impressed with the guys and how they handle being new to the varsity squad and how they handle themselves when they have a bad hole or a bad shot,” Weddingfeld said. “We are still learning but early in the season I am happy with where we are. I am proud of the team for the way they have started the season.”
Charlie Knoll carded an 80 for the Jaguars. Kinnick Nelson and Bennett Lewis each had an 82, and Nathan Grider finished with an 84.
“Those four guys just made too many mistakes to overcome,” Reedy said. “The golf course was playing about as tough as it can with the greens being firm and fast and wind blowing. I just don’t think we did a great job of adjusting to conditions that are atypical of what they see regularly.”
Both Ankeny and Centennial will compete in the Waukee Northwest Invitational on Thursday at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk.
“We’re back at it (Thursday), and we’re hoping to get Colby Zinn back next week coming off of an oblique strain,” Reedy said.
