Newton boys sit fourth after first round of LHC tournament

OSKALOOSA — Jackson Price finished in the top five, but the Newton boys golf team had a frustrating day at Edmundson Golf Course during the first round of the Little Hawkeye Conference tournament on Tuesday.

The Cardinals are sitting fourth after the first 18 holes. They posted a team score of 340 and trail third place Oskaloosa by four shots. Pella Christian leads the way with a 306 and Pella shot a 320 in second.

“We didn’t play so hot today,” Newton head boys golf coach Pat Riley said. “We have some work to do. A lot of bad decisions that led to more than bogey.”

Price headlined the Cardinals with a 77. He’ll be in fifth place when the second round begins later this season.

Peyton Rozendaal (86), Mason Smith (88) and Grant Osby (89) posted the other counting scores. Lincoln Peterson (91) and Ethan Pageler (91) had non-counting scores.

It was Osby’s season debut. He replaced Carter Forst, who shot an 83 to lead the Cardinals’ junior varsity squad. Lane Rozendaal also had a 90 for the Newton JV.

“Our kids think they need to birdie the next hole after an over par hole and then they end up worse,” Riley said. “We need to realize, especially with the wind today, that bogeys are OK. Pars and birdies are great but bogeys won’t take you out of the tourney. We will go back to work tomorrow to clean up some things. It’s so frustrating because I know what they are capable of shooting.”

Pella’s Kyler Besick was the meet medalist with a 68. Pella Christian got 75s from Carter Spronk and Deacon Branderhorst. The Eagles put five golfers in the top 10.