Red Raiders struggle in windy Scottsbluff

The Sidney Red Raiders Golf team struggled to their worst team score of the season Thursday at the home of its most dangerous district opponent, Scottsbluff.

Sidney finished the tournament with a total of 382 strokes at Scotts Bluff Country Club.

Sidney's low score was again turned in by senior Brendon Brown, who recorded an 89. Ryan Birner (94), Bradey Radcliffe (97), Caleb Bowen (102) and Garrett Wamsley (108) also struggled in the cold and windy conditions.

With a team consisting of players that have shown an ability to shoot in the low 80s, or lower in Brown's case, Raiders Head Coach Chuck Christensen showed his disappointment.

"The last few meets I haven't seen what I would expect from this team," said Christensen. "They're not competing. It's all going to have to change by districts."

Sidney's district match is scheduled for May 19, at Cozad Country Club. One week prior the team will have a dry run, of sorts, as they play at the Cozad Invite.

Despite recently aerated greens, cold conditions and a wind that blew steadily around 25 mph with gusts approaching 40, the Raiders players looked more toward themselves for answers.

Early in the season Radcliffe, a sophomore, was consistently playing the best competitive golf of his young Raiders career. His day got off on to a bad start Thursday, however, when he put the wrong driver in his bag before leaving for the match.

"I'm a little frustrated," said Radcliffe. "The wind didn't bother me and my putting was fine. I used the driver I had on 12 holes and I didn't hit it very well."

At the Sidney Invite earlier this season, Wamsley played seven holes in even par before comfortably breaking 90. At Scottsbluff, however, he struggled to find his best form.

"I didn't hit the ball well today at all, which is usually what I do best," said Wamsley. "I hit six out of bounds and two in the water."

Birner, who has finished rounds below 85 on several occasions, had trouble with the long club. Though one of his biggest strengths is finding the fairway, he strayed from the center path most of the day.

"I couldn't hit my driver straight today to save my life," said Birner. "The greens were bad but I putted really bad."

As the team gathered informally after the round, Coach Christensen gave them an idea of what the next couple of weeks would be like. The coach told his players that there would be a lot of chipping, putting and hitting balls during practice.

The Raiders next test comes on Thursday when they take on the Monument Shadows Golf Course in Gering. The shotgun start is scheduled for 9 a.m.

Scottsbluff Invitational

Team Totals

1. Kelly Walsh 331

2. Scottsbluff 337

3. Laramie 352

4. Casper Natrona 368

5. Alliance 370

6. Gering 376

7. Sidney 382

8. Chadron 388

9. Ogallala 408

Top Ten

1. Corbin Hill, Kelly Walsh 75

2. Drew Petrie, Kelly Walsh 77

3. Curtis Welsh, Scottsbluff 77

4. Koy Pothoff, Scottsbluff 81

5. John Murdoch, Laramie 81

6. Nick Maser, Alliance 83

7. Jonah Wright, Scottsbluff 84

8. Ryan Lamb, Kelly Walsh 85

9. Rob Harding, Laramie 86

10. Jarrett Barr, Casper Natrona 86

Sidney

Brendon Brown 89

Ryan Birner 94

Brady Radcliffe 97

Caleb Bowen 102

Garrett Wamsley 108