The Lancaster boys’ golf team has been chomping at the bit to get out on the course, and when they finally did last Saturday, they destroyed the competition and sent a clear-cut message to the rest of the field.
The varsity golf squad opened up the season in impressive fashion, winning Saturday’s 12-team Dodgeville Invite by 22 strokes.
They then opened up play in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference this past Monday evening with a dominating score of 160 on their home course.
At last Saturday’s Dodgeville Invite, the Flying Arrows won the meet with a team score of 324 and an average individual score of 81, and beat second-place Argyle/Pecatonica by 22 strokes.
Missing Saturday’s meet was senior John VanDeHey, who was unable to make the trip. Without their No. 2 golfer, the pressure was on those four who did make the trip.
Leading the way for Lancaster was junior Zach Hentrich, who shot a 38 on both the front and the back for a six-over-par 76.
Hentrich finished third among the 48 total golfers, while Cuba City’s Alex Stewart took medalist honors with a 72.
Finishing in a tie for fourth place was sophomore Andrew Gates, who shot a 37 on the front and a 41 on the back, leaving him with an 18-hole score of 78.
Only eight of 48 golfers finished below 80, and for Gates, his 37 on the front, tied him for the lowest score of any golfer on those nine holes.
“Gates busted out with a great round of 78, but what was most impressive is the fact he had a 10 on #16, and kept it together mentally,” said coach Brad Sturmer. “That is the type of solid mental golf we need out of everyone in order to reach our goals this season.”
Fellow sophomore Nathan Farrey finished up with an 82, shooting a 41 on the front and a 41 on the back, while senior Connor Flynn contributed an 88, shooting a 46 on the front and a 42 on the back.
“Also impressive is the fact that Connor shot an 88,” added coach Sturmer. “When you only have four golfers, it puts a little more pressure on everyone, knowing their score will count, especially the guy in the fourth position. Connor handled the added pressure well again, showing off a good mental game.”
This past Monday evening, the Arrows continued their dominance, this time winning the first SWC meet of the year with a score of 160, or an average of 40.
Finishing 15 strokes behind in second place was River Valley, while Dodgeville was third and 32 strokes behind the Arrows.
With an eagle on the par-5 seventh, Zach Hentrich took medalist honors with an impressive round of 35 on the par-36 front nine.
Placing second in his first meet of the season was John VanDeHey, who carded a three-over-par 39.
Tying for third place was Andrew Gates with a 40, while Nathan Farrey came in with a 46 and Connor Flynn a 47.
This Thursday evening, the Lancaster golf team will be in action at Prairie du Chien, then will participate in the River Valley Invite on Saturday.
Dodgeville Invite
(from Saturday, April 20, at Dodge/Point GC, par 72)
Team scores - 1. Lancaster 324; 2. Argyle/Pecatonica 346; 3. Mineral Point 356; 4. Prairie du Chien 370; 5. Darlington 374; 6. (tie) Cuba City 390, Platteville 390; 8. Barneveld 419; 9. Fennimore 445. Dodgeville, Richland Center and River Valley all incomplete.
Medalist - Alex Stewart (Cuba City) 38-34=72.
Lancaster - 3. Zach Hentrich 38-38=76; 4. (tie) Andrew Gates 37-41=78; Nathan Farrey 41-41=82; Connor Flynn 46-42=88.
SWC Meet
(from Monday, April 22, at the Lancaster Municipal Golf Course, par 36)
Team scores - 1. Lancaster 160; 2. River Valley 175; 3. Dodgeville 182; 4. Platteville 186; 5. Prairie du Chien 199.
Medalist - Zach Hentrich (Lancaster) 35.
Lancaster - 1. Zach Hentrich 35; 2. John VanDeHey 39; 3. (tie) Andrew Gates 40; 13. Nathan Farrey 46.
J.V. - 1. River Valley 177; 2. Dodgeville 205; 3. Lancaster 243; 4. Platteville 270.
