Godfrey, McMillen keep Creek Valley close

After being snowed out at Perkins County on Monday, the Creek Valley Storm managed to taste a little home cooking thanks to the reschedule. The team was also given a little more time to consume the fare.

With the 18 hole match shortened to a nine-hole sprint and moved from Grant to Chappell Golf Club Tuesday, the Class C Perkins County Plainsmen edged the Class D Storm in a dual match 195-190 in a battle between non-district foes.

The young Storm team was led by their senior, Lane Godfrey, along with Wyatt McMillen, who shot 43 and 49, respectively. Corey Phillips (51) and Alex Dexter (52) shot rounds that also counted towards the team total.

"So many of them haven't even played nine holes yet, so I didn't really know what to expect," said Creek Valley head coach Cyd Hanson. "It was nice today to have the kids get in nine holes and against someone who's not your teammate."

Despite their youth--seven underclassmen and two seniors--the Storm came into the season with realistic hopes of winning MAC and getting to state as a team. Considering its lack of practice time, the Storm found no reason on Tuesday to be dissuaded from those goals.

A cool wind accompanied the players throughout their rounds, bringing about comparisons afterwards about who had the coldest hands. Nevertheless, the players and coaches were happy to finally get the 2014 season underway without a hitch.

Though he three putted the final hole, the veteran Godfrey tied for the lowest round of the day by taking what the conditions were giving him.

The day was not unlike those the Storm senior faced at the 2013 NSAA State Championships at Kearney last year.

"I was hitting the ball low into the wind and hitting it high and riding it down wind," said Godfrey. "It was an OK round for this time of year, but I shouldn't have three putted that last hole. It should have been an easy two putt."

Because of the brisk wind and slickness of the greens, putting was made even more difficult than usual.

"You didn't just have to account for the break, but also the wind when putting," Godfrey said. "Except for the last hole, though, I was happy with the way I putted."

Among the younger set working towards breaking into the top five, Austin Rowley had a solid round despite beginning his day with an 11. He ended up with a 60, which put his round as the fifth best of the seven Storm players participating.

"It was really one of the best nine holes I've had," Rowley said. "I changed my grip in practice and I started hitting it better. It just came to me. I also didn't have anything over a two putt. There's still lots of room for improvement, but it's still early in the season."

Among the other scores for Creek Valley were Brett Godfrey with 61 and Ben Cabela with a 66. Godfrey, who played in the same foursome with his brother Lane, was stung four times by out-of-bounds shots.

"He's better than that," said Lane Godfrey. "He needs to learn to slow down a bit. He just gets right up there and whacks it."

The Storm take on Class D rivals for the first time this season in their next competition. They will travel to the Bayard Invite which is scheduled for a 9 a.m. shotgun start on Tuesday.