Pritchard’s runner-up finish leads Cardinals to third at Grinnell

GRINNELL — Kinnick Pritchard matched his career-best score for 18 holes and the Newton boys’ golf team finished third in a four-team varsity quadrangular on Friday.

The Cardinals turned in their second-best team score of the spring and the 377 was five shots better than Boone (382). Grinnell won at the par 70 Grinnell College Golf Course with a 330 and Oskaloosa finished second with a 338.

“With a very cold day of golf, I felt like we rebounded from our last meet at Bos Landen,” Newton boys head golf coach Pat Riley said. “We continue to improve our overall skills.”

Pritchard’s career-best 79 included nine-hole splits of 37-42. Grinnell’s Matthew Zug was the meet medalist with a 78. Pritchard was the runner-up medalist.

Peyton Rozendaal finished 15th with a 96 and Ethan Pageler tied for 19th with a 99. Colin Cummins had the final counting score of 103. Lincoln Peterson (104) and Lane Rozendaal (107) turned in non-counting scores.

“I have seen more kids out playing on their own, more than in previous years, so I know these guys are passionate about getting better,” Riley said. “With that effort, scores will improve.”

Grinnell finished at the top of the standings after putting its four scoring golfers in the top six. Oskaloosa placed six golfers in the top 11.