WEST DES MOINES — The Marshalltown boys’ golf team had a good thing going when rain washed out the back half of the Joe August Invite last Thursday at Elmwood Country Club.
Head coach Lucas Johnson was pleased to see that day’s play didn’t go to waste.
The Bobcats finished in with their second-best 18-hole score of the season on Monday, marking down a 311 that was good for eighth place out of 12 teams at the Valley Classic at Willow Creek Golf Course.
Marshalltown sophomore Joe Greazel shot an even-par round of 71 to take seventh place in the medalist standings, finishing just two strokes off the pace set by a trio of golfers. Waukee’s Jonathan Ward won the cardback out of a three-way tie at 69.
MHS junior Parker Christen posted his best competitive round of varsity golf to take 11th place, shooting a 1-over-par 72 to help the Bobcats to their best team total since a season-opening 308 at Bright Grandview Golf Course in Des Moines.
“We had a solid round of golf going last Thursday before the rainout and I was glad to see the guys pick up where they left off,” said Johnson. “Joe Greazel has been so steady at the top of the lineup and he’s showing he’s a contender every time he tees it up.”
Greazel carded three birdies and three bogeys on his way to his fourth round this season of even-par or better. He’s a combined 9-over-par through eight meets this fall.
Christen’s round included three birdies as well, with two bogeys and a double bogey offsetting them.
“The story of the day was Parker Christen, who had a massive breakout round with setting a new career low,” said Johnson. “His ball-striking has been solid the last few weeks, but his putter had been letting him down. He’s been working on it and it was awesome to see it pay off for him today.”
Trae Misek, a senior, shot an 83 and junior Jacob Seberger carded an 85 to round out the Bobcats’ scoring efforts.
Bryson Payne (87) and Gavin Misek (88) also competed for the ‘Cats, who were only six strokes back of Johnston in seventh place (305).
Waukee Northwest won the event with a 2-under-par team total of 282. Dowling Catholic was 2-over with a 286, followed by Valley (293), Waukee (297), Norwalk (297) and Ankeny Centennial (300).
Marshalltown finished ahead of Des Moines Roosevelt (317), Urbandale (318), Ames (344) and Des Moines East (448).
The Bobcats remain on the road today with a dual meet at Mason City at 3:30 p.m. at Highland Park Golf Course. MHS also plays in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Copper Creek Golf Club.
Valley Classic
Willow Creek Golf Course, par 71
Team Standings — 1. Waukee Northwest 282, 2. Dowling Catholic 286, 3. West Des Moines Valley 293, 4. Waukee 294, 5. Norwalk 297, 6. Ankeny Centennial 300, 7. Johnston 305, 8. Marshalltown 311, 9. Des Moines Roosevelt 317, 10. Urbandale 318, 11. Ames 344, 12. Des Moines East 448.
Individual (top 10) — 1. Jonathan Ward, WAU, 69; 2. Drake Essing, WNW, 69; 3. Blake Cronin, WNW, 69; 4. Landry Vogelaar, WNW, 70; 5. Elijah Anderson, DC, 71; 6. Charlie DePhillips, DC, 71; 7. Joe Greazel, MHS, 71; 8. Braeden Nelson, VAL, 71; 9. AJ Sposato, DC, 71; 10. Caden Norris, VAL, 71.
MARSHALLTOWN (311) — Greazel 71, Parker Christen 72, Trae Misek 83, Jacob Seberger 85, Bryson Payne 87, Gavin Misek 88.