The young Reeths-Puffer team finished in 21st place out of 22 teams
Monday at its season-opening event, the Forest Hills Invitational at
Egypt Valley Golf Course.
The Rockets scored a team total of
383, led by senior star Kristian Brown with an 83 and an impressive
debut round from freshman Ian Vokal, who shot an 85.
Brown's
performance was 10 strokes better than his round on the same course a
year ago, coach Matt Pallett said, and he started well by shooting a
birdie on his first hole of the day. It was one of two birdies Brown
scored in his round.
"He has worked hard on his putting and
that will be a big factor in him having the great season that I am
expecting him to have," Pallett said of Brown.
Vokal also
birdied his first hole, getting his high school career off to an
auspicious start. He only shot worse than a bogey on two holes.
“Ian Vokal was impressive today in his first high school golf
tournament," Pallett said. "I was most impressed with his mental toughness. He had a few
shots that cost him several strokes but those shots did not linger to
the next hole. He is a mature golfer at a young age.”
Also for
the Rockets, Liam Thomas posted a score of 105, and Beckett Mathes
closed the scoring with a 110. Carter Hekkema's 114 didn't count towards
the team score, but he knocked in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 15th
hole.
“Egypt Valley is a tough course especially if you are not playing well," Pallett said. "I
purposely challenged our team by putting us in a tough competition on a
tough course for our first event. This event will make us better.”
