Cardinal golfers’ season ends at 4A district tournament

PLEASANT HILL — Newton’s Cardinals are not going to be at the Iowa Class 4A State Boys’ State Golf Tournament this weekend. Nor is Waukee, which had been the top-ranked team all season.

In Tuesday’s district tournament at Copper Creek Golf Course, the Cardinals finished seventh as a team. The top three teams advance to the state tournament. From this district tournament that would be Des Moines Roosevelt, 303, Dowling Catholic, 309, and Southeast Polk, 310. Southeast Polk, the host team, edged out Waukee by one stroke. Waukee was fourth at 311.

Newton’s four-man total was 344 for seventh. Norwalk was fifth at 339 and Indianola placed sixth at 340. Behind Newton came Council Bluffs Lewis Central, 364, Des Moines East and Des Moines Hoover tying for ninth at 382, Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln at 386, Des Moines Lincoln at 388, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson at 413 and Des Moines North.

“We did not have our best round today. We felt pressure like all of the other teams and that is something that we will need to get better at to compete at the state level,” said Pat Riley, Newton head golf coach.

Senior Bobby Dowling finished his NHS career with an 84 to lead the Cardinals. Devin Shores, a junior, and Austin Reynolds, a freshman, each tallied an 85. Sophomore Derek Damman shot a 90.

Cory Hartgers, a senior, ended his Cardinal run with a final 95. Sophomore Jordan Henning carded a 109.

“We had growing pains, which will only make us better. We have a strong core of kids coming back so I like how next year is shaping up. We will certainly miss Bobby and Cory as we move forward and we wish them the best of luck in their futures,” Riley said.