Newton finishes second, PCM third at PC Invitational

PELLA — Five area golfers finished in the top 10 and Newton downed PCM for the third time this season at the Pella Christian Invitational on Monday.

Three Cardinals placed in the top seven at the par 72 Bos Landen Golf Course. PCM claimed spots 4-8-11-13-14 and finished third as a team.

Newton shot a 351 to finish four shots behind Pella (347) in second. PCM carded a 363, Pella Christian placed fourth with a 384 and Bondurant-Farrar (411) was fifth.

“Once again, I was proud of how the guys played today,” Newton boys golf coach Pat Riley said. “We continue to get better and grow as competitive golfers.”

Newton’s Ethan Walker was the runner-up after claiming a birdie on the first playoff hole against Pella’s Ayden Gordon.

Will Simpson of Pella was the meet medalist with a 77. Walker and Gordon carded 79s in second and third, respectively.

The next best area finish came from Andrew Mitchell of PCM. He carded an 81 and finished fourth.

“It was a nice round by Andrew,” PCM boys golf coach Mike Cardin said. “It was a good day to play. It was good numbers for a very tough golf course.”

Walker shot a 38-41 for his round. Lincoln Ergenbright was fifth overall with an 83 and Kinnick Pritchard finished seventh with an 87.

Braydon Chance was the final counting score with a 100. Garret Beerends (103) and Andrew Culbertson (132) had non-counting scores.

After Mitchell for PCM was Gatlin Boell, who shot a 91 and finished eighth. Grant Van Veen finished 11th with a 95 and Grant Landgrebe tied for 12th with a 96.

Brayden Berger (97) and Brian Nicholson (109) carded non-counting scores.

Next up for Newton and PCM will be the district tournament. Both squads will try to clinch a spot in the state tournament on Thursday.

The Cardinals will play Edmundson Golf Course starting at 10 a.m. in Oskaloosa. PCM goes to Lincoln Valley Golf Course and plays at 10 a.m. in State Center.

“If we can pull it all together Thursday, who knows,” Riley said. “We are in a tough district, but we have defeated or been really close to defeating everyone in our district. It just takes one day to put it all together and we make the state tournament. I am excited to see what Thursday brings.”