March 28, 2024

Cardinal golfers go low as temperature rises

WEST DES MOINES — Nothing like a nice, sunny, warm spring day to be on the golf course. Newton’s Cardinals made full use of the nicer weather to tally one of the program’s best 18-hole score.

The Cardinals combined for a 355, finishing fifth at the 2014 West Des Moines Valley Classic at Willow Creek Golf Course. The tournament was played on Willow Creek’s two nine-hole courses — White and Blue.

“This was our third best team score ever for this tournament. The girls’ 355 is also the 10th best in team history for 18 holes,” NHS girls’ golf coach Scott Enyart said. “The temperature went up and our scores went down. The girls put last week’s performance at Marshalltown behind them and really started fresh today.”

Valley (Black) won the team championship with a 318, one stroke ahead of Waukee at 319. Atlantic finished third with a 333 followed by Johnston at 339 and Newton. Enyart pointed out the Cardinals trimmed 51 shots off their team score of a week ago, and beat five of the teams that finished ahead of them in Marshalltown.

Marshalltown was sixth Monday with a 360 followed by Valley (Orange) 364, Mason City and Des Moines Hoover/Roosevelt tied at eighth with 368s. Southeast Polk was 10th at 372, Ames had a 380, Ankeny shot a 381, Urbandale had a 407 and Indianola had a 437.

Newton’s top four golfers hit personal-best scores either for nine holes, 18 holes or both.

Jessica Reynolds carded a personal-best 84, which included her best nine-hole round at 41 and a 43. Madigan Hillyard and Madeline Wellick had personal-best 18-hole totals of 90, both had rounds of 44-46. Wellik’s 44 tied her personal-best nine-hole round. Carrie Cunnighman had a personal-best 40 for nine-holes on her way to a 18-hole personal best score of 91.

Shelby Cochran and Jesse Smith each finished up with 95s (45-50). This was Smith’s first varsity golf tournament.

“The girls got a lot of confidence back today. I thought we hit the ball pretty well all day,” Enyart said. “The girls were able to identify areas they need to work on, and most of that is about chipping and putting.”

Enyart said Reynolds played a consistent round of golf at the Valley Classic, managing her game well on the two courses. Hillyard birdied her last hole of the day — No. 5 on the White course — and had a solid day of chipping and putting, Enyart said.

“Madeline had a breakout day today. Once she found the rhythm and tempo in her swing, she played well. Her tee shots were consistent,” Enyart said.

“I talk about consistency a lot, but that is what it takes in golf. “Carrie hit her iron shots well and played the Par 3 holes well. She birdied No. 8 on the Blue course.”

Enyart said Cochran had a good start to the day, had a rough patch then finished strong with the 45 on the White course. He said he was impressed with how well Smith played in her first varsity tournament.

Newton’s girls have all week to work on their games in practice. They prepare for a dual a home next Monday against Iowa City High School at Westwood Golf Course. Then they host a Little Hawkeye Conference triangula with Norwalk and Dallas Center-Grimes on Tuesday, April 29 at Westwood.