Sidney golfers take third in Scottsbluff

With a third-place finish, the Sidney golf team had a two-match winning streak stopped at the Scottsbluff Invite on Saturday.

Sidney earned its third-place finish with a 381 total at Scotts Bluff Country Club. The host Bearcats took top honors with a 351 total while the Bulldogs of Gering were the runner up at 375.

The Scotts Bluff Country Club is somewhat more difficult than the nine-hole Ridgeview Golf Course in Chadron the Raiders played last week. Though there are no dramatic elevation changes, it does feature more undulating terrain than Ridgeview. Most of the holes are tree lined.

Three Sidney golfers medaled, including seniors Rachel Petik in sixth with a 91, Jessica Campbell in seventh with a 93 and Karson Langley in ninth at 94. Sophomore Rachel Blauert's 103 on the par 72 layout marks the first time her score has counted in a varsity match. Katelin Cole struggled to an uncharacteristic 112.

In the individual competition, Scottsbluff's Kim Moore earned top honors with an 83. She was followed by Sam Rahmig (85) of Gering, Jordan York (85) of Scottsbluff, Megan Pilkington (87) of Scottsbluff and Amber Fertig (88) of Gering.

Petik, Sidney's number one player, started out strong with a 41 on the front nine, but struggled to a 50 on the back. Campbell's round, which started on the 17th hole in the shotgun start, included pars on her final four holes to complete a second-side 44. She hit all of her final four greens in regulation. She set herself up by hitting her drives long and straight off the tee.

"(Jessica) played the final four holes absolutely flawlessly," said Raiders coach Jody O'Connell who followed Campbell for the final five holes of her round. "I'm very proud of her. It was fun follow her and watch how easily she handled those holes. "

Just before Campbell's final four holes she yanked an iron shot left off the tee on the par-three 12th hole. Her out-of-bounds tee shot cost her stroke and distance requiring her to re-tee. She kept her composure, however, and drilled a long straight drive off the 13th tee.

"My driver was working very well all day," Campbell said. "I struggled with my chipping but it's nice to able to end the day with four birdie putts."

Playing in the same foursome with Campbell was Blauert. At the last tournament at Chadron her 99 tied tied her for fourth on the team. Though five varsity players attend a varsity match, only the top four are counted towards the team total. With a 103, including a 46 on the front nine, this was the first time he score was taken in the team total.

"I had a very weird day. Everything was all over the place," said Blauert. "I couldn't get off the tee but then I spanked my irons. I almost chipped in four or five times. My short game really saved me."

The Raiders go to the picturesque Monument Shadows Golf Course in Gering on Tuesday for a 9 a.m. match. In an unusual departure from the norm, teams will be allowed to bring six varsity golfers. Coach O'Connell will be adding Theda Parker who turned in the top JV score in Scottsbluff. Parker medaled in fourth for the JV squad with a 103. Megan Neal was ninth with a 112.