Raiders take 3rd in opener

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – The Sidney High boys' golf team opened its season a little slow at the North Platte Invite on Monday, but still managed a third-place finish among the nine teams entered at the Lake Maloney Golf Club.

McCook, one of the favorites in the district B-4 race, won the event by 10 strokes over host North Platte. Sidney finished with a 356 total.

"Since it was our first meet and we didn't get a few guys going until last week because they were at state basketball, it's an acceptable start," said Raiders head coach Chuck Christensen. "It's a little disappointing sure, but they're all hard workers and that's encouraging. I've got four guys going to Phoenix to play over the Easter break and another going to Palm Springs."

Ryan Birner led the Raiders with an 86, which earned him a 9th-place medal. Garrett Wamsley and Nate Dvorak tied for 10th at 87 but lost out on a medal in a scorecard playoff. Brady Radcliffe, who was playing No. 1, struggled to a 96 after being derailed on the back nine with a 10 and a couple of lost balls.

Radcliffe and Birner were the two Raiders who had a late start to their golf season due to their extended run at state basketball. Radcliffe acknowledged it was the worst competitive score he's posted in two years.

Freshman Connor Dorman, who was playing in his first varsity match, came in with a 101.

Birner, who struggled with his driver on occasion last season, again found the long club a source of frustration.

"I think I was a little nervous at first," Birner said. "As the day went on, it got better and better but my driver continued to be a problem all day. Some things never change."

Birner finished his round with three straight pars.

Dvorak opened his round 7-8-6, but managed to turn his day around after a brief conversation with Christensen.

"After the bad start, I kind of rallied myself and got a couple of birdies," he said. "I had a short talk with my coach and he gave me a quick tip and it really helped me a lot. He mostly told me to get it out of my head and and to focus and grind it out to the end – and I did."

Dvorak got one of his strokes back with a birdie on the 422-yard 5th hole. He gained another back after getting a three on the 361-yard par-4 15th.

The Raiders will next take to the links next Tuesday when they host the Sidney Invite at Hillside Golf Course. Since Hillside will be the site of the district tournament, most of the teams from Class B-4 will be in attendance.

MONDAY'S RESULTS

North Platte Invite

@Lake Maloney Golf Club, Par 36-36–72

Team Scores

McCook 323

North Platte 333

Sidney 356

Cozad 357

Hastings 378

Gothenburg 379

Ogallala 409

Lexington 403

Top 10 Individual Scores

Noah Hoffman McCook 74

Kort Steele North Platte 76

Masen Sis McCook 80

Cade Wroot North Platte 81

Sam Cole Cozad 82

Zach Presall Cozad 82

Patrick Messersmith Gothenburg 85

Kyle Zimbelan North Platte 86

Ryan Birner Sidney 86

Riley Loop McCook 87

Other Sidney Scores

Nate Dvorak Sidney 87

Garrett Wamsley Sidney 87

Brady Radcliffe Sidney 96

Connor Dorman Sidney 101