By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff writer
The NRHEG Panther boys’ and girls’ golf teams didn’t take advantage of one of the nicest days weatherwise so far this year as they both dropped their opening matches to United South Central on Tuesday, April 12.
The boys saw a four-stroke difference in a 175-179 score. USC’s Sam Gackstetter led all scorers with a two-over-par 38 on the Oakview Golf Course layout.
Sam Grothem was low man for the Panthers carding a 40. Jon Walstrom (42); Aaron Patraw (43) and Spencer Hanna (54) rounded out the team score. Cody Root (57) and Tony Svoboda (59) finished fifth and sixth respectively.
“Sam, Aaron and Jon all shot well,” said Coach Brad Root. “We were missing Matt Nafe due to a sudden death in the family. Cody Root filled in for Matt but we fell four strokes short. One nice surprise was Jake Langlie (44) on the junior varsity; he will move up to the varsity for the next match.”
The Lady Panthers’ returning experience failed to show as they were on the short end of a 222-229 score. Ali Wood of USC was medalist with a round of 47.
Maddy Reed led the way for NRHEG with a 53. Hannah Moe was one shot back at 54. Michaela Hansen (60); and Abbey Holland (62) also figured in the Panther scoring. Lexi Wayne and Brenna Hagen both shot 63s.
“Maddy [Reed] and Hannah had a good day for us,” said Root. “Brina and Maddy [Schwierjohann] played well for the JV.
Jake Langlie (44) and Brina Bergland (55) were low Panther scorers in the junior varsity matches.
The Panthers’ (0-1) match with the Blossoms of Blooming Prairie scheduled for Thursday, April 14 was postponed. They were scheduled to travel to BP on Saturday, April 16 for a morning match that was also postponed, as was Tuesday’s match at JWP. They play at Glenville-Emmons Monday, April 25 and host USC Thursday, April 28.
