March 29, 2024

Cardinal girl golfers finish second in division at Linda Bloom Invitational

MARSHALLTOWN — Playing on the course they hope to be playing on in a month at the Class 4A state golf tournament, Newton High’s Cardinals posted a 369 to finish second in the Linda Bloom Invitational small-school division Thursday.

Newton and five other teams competed on the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown, the site of the Class 3A and Class 4A state tournaments May 29-30. Another group of teams — Class 5A — played in the large-school division of the Linda Bloom Invitational at Elmwood Country Club, the site of the Class 5A state tournament.

“It was an ideal day to play golf, as this whole week has been,” said Scott Enyart, Newton head coach. Enyart hit the honorary opening tee shot Thursday morning to open the tournament at the American Legion Golf Course.

“Linda has an impact on girls’ golf in our area and in the state. When I began coaching here at Newton, I wanted my program to resemble what Linda was doing at Marshalltown. She had a passion for golf, for the girls she coached and for family.”

Grundy Center beat Newton by six strokes with a 363 for the team championship. It was led by medalist Josie McMartin, who shot an 80.

One stroke back as the runner-up was Newton’s Jessica Reynolds. Reynolds finished the 18-hole tournament with an 81 on rounds of 39 and 42. It was a personal-best 18-hole score for Reynolds.

Shelbey Cochran and Cydney Hillyard posted a 91 (45-46) and a 92 (49-43), respectively for the Cardinals. Hillyard’s 92 was her personal-best 18-hole score and the 43 on the back nine is a personal-best for nine holes.

Emily Fitzgerald put together rounds of 53 and 52 for a 105 as the fourth team score for Newton. Abby Jolivette finished one stroke back at 106 (56-50) and Jessie Smith shot a 111 (53-58).

“This week our players have had opportunities to make strides in their games and they’ve taken full advantage of those in front of them,” Enyart said. “I’ve seen our program grow through the years. These girls are carrying on the tradition of being respectful of other golfers, of the game and of family.”

Enyart said Reynolds was mentally focused but relaxed all day. He said her ball striking and short game were on and she was putting well.

“Can you say breakout day for Shelbey? She’s battled all year and things started to come together for her today. She had six pars on the day,” Enyart said. “Cydney showed maturity as a player to battle back from some bad holes today to finish strong.”

Enyart said Fitzgerald had strong tee shots and iron shots. She had bogeys on the last six holes to regroup from tough holes along the way, he said. Jolivette ran into trouble also and “turned it around and like Cydney and Emily, she didn’t let it bother her,” Enyart said.

“Jessie stayed focused on her swing and improved as the day went along,” Enyart said.

Nevada placed third with a 371 followed by Norwalk at 376. Grinnell was fifth at 397 and Marshalltown JV shot a 489.

Newton goes to Beaver Creek Golf Course in Grimes Monday for the Little Hawkeye Conference tournament hosted by Dallas Center-Grimes. Tee time is 9 a.m.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com