Fairfield boys? golf prepares for SEC tourney

KEOKUK ? With a few days remaining before the Southeast Conference tournament, Thursday the Trojans received an early look at what to expect.

Playing at the Keokuk Country Club, which is home to the conference tourney next week, the Trojans beat conference rivals Washington and Keokuk by eight strokes apiece. Fairfield tallied a team score of 162 while Washington and Keokuk both finished at 170.

?With the conference tournament here on Tuesday it was real beneficial to have played it,? said Fairfield coach Mick Flattery. ?Knowing where and how to hit the ball off the tee is very important. ... So, this was definitely more about practice than just thinking winning a triangular.?

The Trojans also beat Washington Tuesday at Ames Country Club, which is the location of the upcoming state meet.

Once again Thursday, Fairfield?s Davis Lowenberg won medalist honors playing even-par 36. The senior recorded both of Fairfield?s birdies on the day and went 1-under-par on the par-5 holes.

With a round of 39, Trojan sophomore Alex Shier shared runner-up medalist honors with Keokuk?s Blake Miller. Shier has been on a late-season roll of late but was coming off a rough outing.

?Really neat to see Alex rally from his last tournament where he was our high man and now he is second on the team,? Flattery said. ?He put the driver away today and went 3-wood off the tee and did not get into any trouble with that strategy.?

Shier played the par-5 holes at even-par, and he was 1-over on the par-3s.

Fairfield received strong rounds from seniors Cody Kool and CJ Shipman, as well. Kool carded a 43 while Shipman checked in with a 44 to round out the Trojans? team score. Both golfers played the par-3 holes at even-par.

Matt Carr and Landon Gamrath posted alternate scores. Both sophomore Trojans finished with a 46.

Fairfield (30-3) will face a stingy eight-team field at the Chariton Invitational Saturday before heading back to Keokuk for the conference meet Tuesday.