GRANGER — Turning in one of its better rounds of the season on Tuesday, the Newton boys golf team could've been happy with its final result of the season.
 

However, coming that close to the state meet without making it never seems to be a reassuring idea.
The Cards shot a 317 as a team, landing in fifth place out of 13 teams and just seven strokes back of a state berth at the district meet at Jester Park Golf Course to end their season on a high and low note at the same time.
 

"We just needed something spectacular from one of the other guys, and obviously we were just seven strokes away from state in one of the toughest districts," Newton coach Pat Riley said. "I'm not disappointed, just sad for the kids because they gave it their all and just came up a little short."
Coming even closer to state was senior Austin Shores, who recovered from a slow start on the back nine to shoot a 74, which was one stroke shy of the state cut. Shores' 3-under 33 on the front nine put him in contention, but left him just on the outside as the individual field produced a 70, 72 and two 73s.
"I didn't think it would even be close after shooting a 41 on the front," Shores said. "I just told myself I had to make a bunch of birdies, and I ended up making three without any bogies. I didn't even think I'd actually have a real chance until I birdied my last hole."