How Gilbert outlasted ADM to win another RRC boys golf championship
Gilbert used a disappointing showing at its home meet as motivation to win another Raccoon River Conference championship in boys golf Monday.
The Tigers had to settle for a second-place finish at the Gilbert Invitational on Saturday, coming in two strokes behind Knoxville and only managing to hold off Ballard by one stroke in the team standings. That result did not sit well with the Tiger golfers, but they knew a shot at redemption was right around the corner.
Gilbert returned to the Ames Golf and Country Club on Monday. Having lost once to top conference rival Adel-Desoto-Minburn earlier in the season, the Tigers were focused and ready to go at the conference meet.
They ended up shaving 17 strokes off their Gilbert Invitational score. They went from shooting 309 on Saturday to a 292 Monday, which was enough to top ADM's score of 296 for the conference championship.
"They did very well today," said Gilbert coach Holly Lester. "We knew there would be a challenge between us and ADM and Gilbert won."
Lester said better weather helped Gilbert improve its scores Monday. But the main factor was simply knowing how tough ADM was going to be and rising to the occasion.
"They beat us earlier in the season and this was only the second time we've run into them," Lester said. "They knew it was going to be more of a challenge today."
Brock Snyder was especially focused for Gilbert at the conference meet. After placing third and coming in four strokes behind medalist Evan Smith of Knoxville at the Gilbert Invite, Snyder was out to prove himself Monday.
Snyder birdied five holes at the conference meet. He went from shooting a 75 Saturday to going 3-under par Monday with a 68.
"He needed to come back from Saturday," Lester said. "I know he was obviously not as happy with his score on Saturday as he was today."
But Snyder was not the only one to step up. Every other Tiger golfer shot a 79 or better.
Ryan Lynch came through with a three-over score of 74. Joey Currans and Logan Youngberg each finished with a 75, Zachary Wilson scored a 77 and Hudson White finished with a 79.
Up next for Gilbert is the Class 3A sectional meet at the Carroll Country Club on Wednesday.
"This is great momentum going into Carroll," Lester said. "We went to practice rounds at Carroll yesterday. We did not get all the holes in before it started hailing. We'll go early to walk the last holes they didn't get to see yesterday. I think they are ready to go."
Ballard ended up placing fourth in the team standings behind Gilbert, ADM and Winterset (301). The Bombers shot 304 as a team.
Andrew Princehouse had an outstanding showing individually for Ballard. Princehouse birdied two holes and he had an eagle on Hole 10 in finishing 1-over with a 72.
Mason Gatchel placed 14th with a 76, Brady Kruger 18th with a 77 and Brenden Wright 24th with a 79 for the Bombers. Ballard will compete at the Majestic Hills Golf Course in Denison for its 3A sectional meet Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Gilbert tops ADM for the RRC boys golf championship
