The game of golf is all about making adjustments.
And that’s exactly what Ankeny senior Drake Shadwick did on Tuesday.
Shadwick carded a 5-over-par 76 in the final round of the boys’ Class 4A state golf meet at Davenport Country Club. He posted a two-day total of 161 after shooting an 85 on Monday.
“I was much more happy with how I played today,” said Shadwick. “I think playing the first day and learning how the greens rolled was a key part that helped me.”
Shadwick finished in a tie for 56th place after being tied for 69th following the opening round.
“Drake played a great round of golf today,” said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld. “He did a much better job of putting the ball in the right places which led to more greens hit and fewer putts. When he did miss a green, his chipping was great and putts were falling and his score showed that. Drake played great golf after his first nine holes on Monday, his nerves calmed, and his swing responded.
“Once he settled in, he just played golf and quit overthinking all of his shots,” he added.
Shadwick again started his round on the No. 10 hole. He shot a 2-over 37 on the back nine Tuesday after struggling to a 44 on the same nine holes Monday.
Shadwick’s round was highlighted by a birdie on the par-5, No. 12 hole.
“I was in a greenside bunker in two (shots),” Shadwick said. “Then I hit a great shot out of the bunker and made the putt.”
Shadwick didn’t join Ankeny’s varsity lineup until this fall, when the Hawks had no returning varsity regulars. In the end, he made the most of his senior season.
“Drake has really matured in his golf game over the last two years, and it was great that he could experience a state golf tournament,” Weddingfeld said. “It really is a big accomplishment to make it that far, and it was fun for (assistant coach) Curt (Ingham) and I to coach him in such a high honor tournament.”
Waukee junior Jonathan Ward used a dramatic rally to win the Class 4A individual crown going away. He was four shots out of the lead and in a tie for ninth place heading into Tuesday’s round, but then shot an 8-under 63 to post a 36-hole total of 137.
Ward finished five strokes ahead of the field. Henry Baker of Johnston and Cal Martineau of Dubuque Wahlert tied for second at 142.
Dallas Center-Grimes claimed the team title with a 584 total. Pleasant Valley was the runner-up with a 596.