Price, Pritchard lead Newton boys golf to fourth at Saydel

DES MOINES — Jackson Price’s high school debut was pretty special.

The Cardinals faced a tough field in the Saydel Eagles Boys Invitational, but the Newton freshman was up to the challenge and his 1-under-par 70 led everyone at Woodland Hills Golf Course.

Price and Kinnick Pritchard both finished in the top 10 to lead the Cardinals to fourth place. They shot 321 as a team.

“I’m excited about this team. I really feel like we have the start of something special,” Newton head boys golf coach Pat Riley said. “We just need to continue to do the right things on the course and stay together as a team supporting one another.”

Price’s high school debut included nine pars, five birdies and four bogeys. He was 1-over-par on the front nine and shot a 2-under-par 34 on the back.

“Jackson came out guns a blazing,” Riley said. “Welcome to high school golf kid. He’s going to be a huge part of our success this year. I’m excited to be a part of what is to come with him.”

Pritchard was next for the Cardinals with a career-best 77. He was 1-under-par for the front nine but shot a 43 on the back.

Pritchard’s best score all of last year was a 78.

“Kinnick started slow but really came on strong on his back nine,” Riley said. “He’s Mr. Consistent. I can always count on a solid score for him.”

The other two scoring golfers for Newton were Peyton Rozendaal and Ethan Pageler, who carded an 84 and 90, respectively. Grant Osby (91) and Lincoln Peterson (94) had non-counting scores.

Gilbert won the tournament title with a 300. The Tigers had four scores in the 70s and all six were 86 or better.

Pella Christian (301) was one shot back in second followed by Pella (314) in third. The Eagles also had four scores in the 70s, while the Dutch had three scores in the 70s and two more in the low 80s.

“This is the first year in a long time, if ever, that we have a plethora of kids in the hunt to play varsity,” Riley said. “Competition breeds success. Guys will have to focus and continue to improve if they want a shot to play varsity.”

The rest of the nine-team field included Earlham (324), Oskaloosa (326), Greene County (328), West Marshall (356) and host Saydel (409).

West Marshall’s Hunter Polley was the runner-up medalist with an even par 71.