The boys golf team worked through a rain-dampened course to claim second at the Jefferson West Invitational Tuesday evening.
Senior Ty Deterding placed third individually and junior Brady Von Holten placed eighth. Senior Brayden Chappelle and junior Beckham Erpelding placed 16th and 17th, respectively. Senior Cayden Dittmer placed 26th and freshman Lash Kueffer placed 28th.
As a team, the Cardinals finished just two shots away from first place.
Head coach Scott Keltner said it can be a challenge to adjust to different course conditions. There were still pools of water left around the course from a rainstorm the night before, and the damp grass adds a different challenge for the team. He said he was happy with how the golfers made sure they stayed competitive to the end.
Despite the prior rain making the course a bit damp, the weather during the tournament Tuesday was perfect.
“It was really, really good weather out,” freshman Lash Kueffer said. “The team, I know, did really well. It was definitely an entertaining day, lots of ups and downs.”
Keltner said he loves seeing the golfers invested in the team score more than their personal scores.
“They’re not just asking, ‘How’s Brady doing?’ or ‘How’s Brayden doing?’ They’re asking, ‘How are we doing?’ Keltner said. “That’s a really cool way for them to phrase it. I get really proud of that.”
On Tuesday, as members of the team finished their rounds, they followed around still-competing teammates to cheer them on.
“It helps a ton when people go and support each other,” Erpelding said. “I think it settles the nerves a lot for the guy that’s getting cheered on.”
Regionals is only a few weeks away, and the team has its eyes set on clinching a state berth. Next week, the Cardinals play a tournament at the course where state will be held. Keltner said this offers them a chance to envision their goal of returning there for the state championship.
“As a whole, regionals will be a big, big thing,” Chappelle said. “But just getting mentally ready for that, and physically ready. Just get our game back.”
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
