Golden Hawk senior golfer stays alive with score

KNOXVILLE — Mid-Prairie’s boys golf team was playing in a Class 3A sectional for the first time in coach Kelby Bender’s tenure Friday. Although the Golden Hawks placed seventh, Bender said his team played well.

The Golden Hawks shot a season-low 18-hole team score and five of six golfers shot a personal best.

On the nine-hole course, all six golfers used the front as a learning experience and shot a better score on the back. Senior Dominic McCain played well enough to advance as an individual.

McCain made one par and 8 bogeys to shoot 43 on the par-35 course. He bogeyed Hole 10 to go 9 over, then made five pars in a row, then a bogey and a par.

Facing a downhill 20-foot putt for birdie on 18, McCain drained it for a 1-over 36 and an 18-hole total of 79, a personal best.

The top two individuals not on qualifying teams advance to the district meet. McCain was sixth overall and took the last qualifying spot. He will play in the 3A District in Oskaloosa Thursday.

Mid-Prairie scoring was from Drew Schlabaugh, who shot rounds of 47 and 45 for a personal-best 92. Warren Scarff carded 47 and 46 for his personal-best 93. Ben Mattes went 50-47 to shoot his personal-best 97. Not scoring was Aiden Bush, who had a 101 and Ian Schmidt, who had a 103, his lowest round.

TEAM SCORES

1. Knoxville 310, 2. Grinnell 332, 3. Oskaloosa 333, 4. Albia 337, 5. Williamsburg 352, 6. South Tama 360, 7. Mid-Prairie 361, 8. Centerville 384