Brown, Dvorak lead Raiders on windswept Gothenburg course

On a largely treeless course the wind was able to sweep over the countless mounds and hollows of Wild Horse Golf Club in Gothenburg on Thursday, preventing most in the large field of 74 from gaining any consistency over the par 72, 6,335-yard track.

The Sidney Red Raiders finished in fifth among the 14 teams attending with a total of 355 strokes. Meanwhile Sidney's district rivals McCook and Scottsbluff were separated by just two stokes for the top spot. The Bison came out on top with their 328.

As for the individuals, McCook's Noah Hofman won the event with a 78 to edge Koy Pothoff of Scottsbluff by a stroke.

Though not his best day, Brendon Brown again led the Raiders carding an 86, which put him just outside the medals in a tie for 16th. Freshman Nate Dvorak followed Brown in the order with an 89. Both Brady Radcliffe and Ryan Birner finished with second-nine 41s to come in at 90. Garrett Wamsley recorded a 95.

"It was about a two or three-club wind and the greens were really quick," said Brown.

The wind blew at a consistent 27 mph while gusting up to 37.

Though Brown considered his pars on the opening two holes his best of the day, he and his teammates fared better on their second nines with just one exception.

Brown, who began his day off the first tee, went out in 44 and came in with 42. Radcliffe and Birner both struggled on their opening nine holes with uncharacteristic 49s but rebounded to knock off 8 strokes.

For Radcliffe, however, it wasn't a matter of learning how to deal with the wind that accounted for his back nine improvement. It was the flat stick.

"The wind had nothing to do with it," said Radcliffe adamantly. "I probably three putted five or six holes."

Despite Birner and Radcliffe recording identical scores on their front and back nines, there was a difference. While most tournaments are shotgun starts, at Gothenburg all players went off the first and 10th holes with tee times. Radcliffe started on the back and Birner on the front. Though Birner parred three of his first four holes, he struggled on holes 5-9. As for Radcliffe, he may just have been too analytical.

"I was thinking about (putting) too much on the back nine," said Radcliffe. "On the front nine I stopped thinking about it and just stroked it."

Dvorak had no such issues with his putting stroke. He did, however, struggle with his consistency over the Wild Horse layout. He birdied both par fives on the front nine but also threw in a triple bogey after one of his birds.

"My putting was the best part of my game today," Dvorak said. "That was really the big difference for me. Today I hit it low and let it run. I can do better though. I know it will come."

Though Dvorak has played much better in recreational and practice rounds, his score on Thursday was his best competitive effort for the Raiders to date.

Sidney will have only one day away from competition. On Saturday the Raiders travel to Alliance to take on the Sky View layout at 9 a.m.

Gothenburg Invite

Team Results

1. McCook 328

2. Scottsbluff 330

3. Bellevue East 343

4. North Platte 354

5. Sidney 355

6. Gering 356

7. Broken Bow 357

8. Cozad 358

9. Minden 363

10. Holdrege 385

11. Lexington 394

12. Ogallala 407

13. Gothenburg JV 412

14. Gothenburg 417

Individual Results

1. Noah Hoffman, McCook 78

2. Koy Potthof, Scottsbluff 79

3. Curtis Welch, S’bluff 80

3. Kort Steele, North Pl. 80

5. Andy Siders, BE. 81

6. David Durner, McCook 82

6. Grayson Flanders, NP 82

8. Matt Exstrom, Minden 83

8. Nolan Breece, Holdrege 83

8. Trevor Reiss, Ogallala 83

11. Jordan Henry, Cozad 84

11. James Mitnik, McCook 84

11. Riley Loop, McCook 84

14. Corby Ross, BE 85

14. Jonah Wright, S,bluff 85

16. Brendon Brown, Sidn 86

16. Grayson Minnick, BB 86

16. Jack Cornelius, Cozad 86

16. John Christ, BE 86

16 Kraiger Ebbers, Gering 86

16. Marcus Miller, BB 86

16. Mason Sis, McCook 86

Sidney Results

Brendon Brown 86

Nate Dvorak 89

Brady Radcliffe 90

Ryan Birner 90

Garrett Wamsley 95