AMES — What a difference a month can make.
The Marshalltown boys’ golf team took 20 strokes off its first trip to Ames by shooting a 320 on Monday at the Turk Bowman Invite, placing 10th out of 18 teams at Veenker Memorial Golf Course.
The Bobcats were only one shot back of Ankeny (319) in ninth, but coming down 20 strokes was already more than enough ground covered for head coach Lucas Johnson.
“We can be pleased with our improvement from our last trip to Veenker earlier in the season when we shot 340,” said Johnson. “Joe Greazel alone improved 15 shots, which is what you hope to see from your freshman as they get more experience at the varsity level. He had the shot of the season thus far, holing out for an eagle on the tough par-4 fifth hole.”
Greazel led the Bobcats with a round of 4-over-par 76, highlighted by a 2-under-par 34 on the front side. He had a bogey, a birdie and the eagle-2 on the 350-yard fifth hole.
Jacob Seberger, a sophomore, scored the second-best round of the day for the Bobcats with his 79. He shot a 2-over 38 on the back nine with a birdie and three bogeys.
“Jacob Seberger played great and, other than one rough hole on the front nine, did an excellent job avoiding the big numbers that often plague rounds at Veenker,” Johnson said. “He was driving the ball great and missed in spots that allowed him to save pars, which is critical to putting together a good round.”
Seniors Eli Polley and Adam Boone rounded out the Bobcats’ scoring efforts with an 82 and an 83, respectively. Ty Faltys (86) and Parker Christen (97) also competed for MHS.
West Des Moines Valley blistered Veenker for a 9-under-par team score of 279 to win the invite with an 11-stroke margin. Braeden Nelson shot 6-under 66 to lead the Tigers, who posted four of the seven best scores.
“We beat a couple schools in Ames and Indianola that we hadn’t topped yet this year and were right there with Ankeny, so it’s trending in the right direction,” Johnson said. “We’re looking forward to welcoming some great competition to our place on Thursday.”
Marshalltown hosts the Joe August Invite on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Elmwood Country Club, bringing in 12 other teams to compete in the annual event.
Turk Bowman Invite
Veenker Memorial Golf Course, par 72
Team Standings — 1. West Des Moines Valley 279, 2. Johnston 290, 3. Dallas Center-Grimes 299, 4. Ankeny Centennial 299, 5. Waukee Northwest 300, 6. Southeast Polk 302, 7. Norwalk 306, 8. Waukee 306, 9. Ankeny 319, 10. Marshalltown 320, 11. Indianola 322, 12. Mason City 332, 13. Des Moines Roosevelt 335, 14. Ames 335, 15. Urbandale 360, 16. Fort Dodge 364, 17. Des Moines Lincoln 379, 18. Des Moines East 451.
Individual (top 10) — 1. Braeden Nelson, VAL, 66; 2. Andrew Johannsen, JHN, 68; 3. C.T. Norris, VAL, 70; 4. Jonathan Ward, WAU, 71; 5. Charlie Morrissey, AC, 71; 6. Aidan McGreen, VAL, 71; 7. Noah Moberg, DCG, 72; 8. Cade Sunde, VAL, 72; 9. Blake Cronin, WNW, 72; 10. Cooper Patterson, SEP, 72.
MARSHALLTOWN (320) — Joe Greazel 76, Jacob Seberger 79, Eli Polley 82, Adam Boone 83, Ty Faltys 86, Parker Christen 97.