Gilbert used a disappointing performance at his home game as motivation to win another Raccoon River Conference championship in boys’ golf on Monday.
The Tigers had to settle for second place in Saturday’s Gilbert Invitational, coming two shots behind Knoxville and only managing to hold Ballard back by one shot in the Ames Golf and Country Club team standings. This result didn’t sit well with the Tiger golfers, but they knew a chance for redemption was just around the corner.
Gilbert returned to Ames Golf and Country Club on Monday. After losing once to top conference rivals Adel-Desoto-Minburn earlier in the season, the Tigers were focused and ready to go to the conference meeting.
They ended up shaving 17 strokes off their Gilbert Invitational score. They posted a 309 on Saturday and a 292 on Monday, which was enough to beat ADM’s 296 score for the conference championship.
“They played very well today,” said Gilbert coach Holly Lester. “We knew there was going to be a duel between us and ADM and Gilbert won.”
Lester said better weather helped Gilbert improve his results on Monday. But the most important factor was just knowing how tough ADM was going to be and feeling up to the task.
“They beat us earlier in the season and that’s only the second time we’ve faced them,” said Lester. “They knew it was going to be a bigger challenge today.”
Brock Snyder focused specifically on Gilbert at the conference meeting. After finishing third and four strokes behind medalist Evan Smith of Knoxville at the Gilbert Invite, Snyder was looking to prove himself on Monday.
Snyder fucked five holes at the conference meeting. He went from a 75 on Saturday to a 3 under par on Monday with a 68.
“He had to come back from Saturday,” Lester said. “I know that he was obviously not as happy with his result on Saturday as he was today.”
But Snyder wasn’t the only one stepping up. Every other Tiger golfer hit a 79 or better.
Ryan Lynch came through with a 74 three-over score. Joey Currans and Logan Youngberg each finished with 75, Zachary Wilson scored 77 and Hudson White finished with 79.
Next up for Gilbert is Wednesday’s Class 3A section meeting at Carroll Country Club.
“It’s a great dynamic going into Carroll,” Lester said. “We went to the practice rounds in Carroll yesterday. We didn’t make all the holes before it started to hail. We’ll go early to walk the last few holes they didn’t see yesterday. I think they’re ready to go. “
Ballard finished fourth in the team standings behind Gilbert, ADM and Winterset (301). The bombers shot down a 304 as a team.
Andrew Princehouse had put in an outstanding performance for Ballard individually. Princehouse screwed two holes and he had an eagle on hole 10 when he finished 1-over with a 72.
Mason Gatchel placed 14th with a 76, Brady Kruger 18th with a 77, and Brenden Wright 24th with a 79 for the Bombers. Ballard will attend his 3A Section Meeting on Wednesday at the Majestic Hills Golf Course in Denison.
