Heryford’s 39 leads Newton girls golf past Pella, Oskaloosa

A 41 in the first nine-hole meet of the season would be considered a great score by many golfers around the state of Iowa.

Not for Rylee Heryford. Not when the expectation is to compete for a state title.

Heryford was so unhappy with her score on Monday that she went straight to Fore Seasons to get in a few more swings.

She was able to shave two strokes off that score during Tuesday’s home triangular against Pella and Oskaloosa.

Heryford led the Cardinals with a 4-over-par 39 to win medalist honors. Newton also claimed two wins after shooting 198 as a team. The three teams played the par-35 back nine at Westwood Golf Course.

“It was nice to get out on our own course and get the win,” Newton girls golf coach Ashley Kahler said. “We had pretty good scores for the cold and windy weather conditions. We did have a couple of three-putt holes, which we need to clean up, but overall not a bad night.”

The Cardinals put four in the top five and five in the top seven. Heryford was 10 strokes better than runner-up medalist Reagan Van Wyk of Pella. Heryford’s round included seven pars.

Van Wyk shot a 49 and Pella had a 220 as a team. Ellie Wogen shot a 58 for the Dutch.

Oskaloosa had just two golfers and did not have a team score. The Indians were led by Audrey Stoneberg’s 68.

Abby Price shot a 52 to finish third, Bekah Vasseau carded a 53 for fourth and Marin Pettigrew had a 54 to place fifth. Ella Price shot a non-counting 62 in seventh and Emily Zink carded a 69 as the other non-counting score.