Warsaw Golfers Finish Second In Invitational
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - They keeping coming close but haven't gotten over the hump yet.
The Warsaw Tigers boys golf team keeps finishing toward the top of the heap in invitationals this year but have just second and third place-finishes to show for it.
Saturday at Stonehenge Golf Club, Warsaw hosted the Tiger Invitational and finished second with a 324 while Indianapolis Cathedral won with a 320 on a blustery spring day.
And while second place out of 12 teams is acceptable for most teams, it's not for the defending state champions.
"We're not pleased with second," said senior golfer #Jared Nifong.
Nifong, who transfered to Warsaw from Triton over the summer, has been impressive thus far as a member of the Tiger squad.
Satuday, Nifong, along with junior Grant Slater, shot an 80.
Nifong struggled on the front nine, shooting a 43, but came back to shoot a 37, 1-over par, on the back nine.
"Second place is just the first loser," said junior Tad Nieter of Warsaw's performance in its invitational.
That's the sort of perspective you gain when you come back from three strokes down to earn a state crown.
Nieter led the way for the Tigers with a 79.
"I'm so happy for Tad," said Warsaw coach Ben Barkey. "He might say he's been struggling, but I'm pleased with his play. He's not satisfied with a 79."
Just Slater and Nieter return from the squad that won the state title. Varsity players Skyler Scott and Ryan Marose were varsity players last year but didn't play in the state finals.
"We have the potential to play really well," said Scott.
Scott shot an 85 and Marose's 91 was dropped.
"These second and thirds are tough but are better than nothing," said Barkey.
"The best thing I can say is our guys tried to play Stonehenge on a normal day. We play this course and 85 percent of the time it's not windy."
Warsaw and Cathedral were part of the last group, along with Mishawaka Marian, to finish the day.
Of the groups that finished earlier, Plymouth was the leader in the clubhouse. The Pilgrims flew under the radar and, despite not returning a lot from last year's team, were still able to post a third-place finish.
Plymouth also showed that as per usual the Northern Lakes Conference will be quite competitive this season.
"I'm not surprised with Plymouth," said Barkey. "Those kids have been playing (Stonehenge) since my second year. They're solid golfers. I'm just glad we beat them by a couple."
As for Triton, the Trojans overcame the winds, which blew stiffer earlier in the day, to shoot a 350 for 10th place.
T.J. Carpenter led the way for the the Trojans with an 81 while Reggie Davis shot an 87. Kyle Kreft carded an 88 and Clint Woodward finished with a 94. Corey Calvert's 103 was dropped.
The Tigers are in action today as they travel to Culver to take on Culver Academy and Logansport at 4:30 p.m.
Triton is in action again Thursday against host Elkhart Baptist.
Team scores -ÊIndianapolis Cathedral 320, Warsaw 324, Plymouth 329, Huntington North 332, Homestead 332, Bishop Chatard 339, Culver Academy 341, Rochester 343, Penn 345, Triton 350, Mishawaka Marian 357, Greencastle 364
Warsaw scores - Tad Nieter 79, Grant Slater 80, Jared Nifong 80, Skyler Scott 85, Ryan Marose 91
Triton scores - T.J. Carpenter 81, Reggie Davis 87, Kyle Kreft 88, Clint Woodward 94, Corey Calvert 103 [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - They keeping coming close but haven't gotten over the hump yet.
The Warsaw Tigers boys golf team keeps finishing toward the top of the heap in invitationals this year but have just second and third place-finishes to show for it.
Saturday at Stonehenge Golf Club, Warsaw hosted the Tiger Invitational and finished second with a 324 while Indianapolis Cathedral won with a 320 on a blustery spring day.
And while second place out of 12 teams is acceptable for most teams, it's not for the defending state champions.
"We're not pleased with second," said senior golfer #Jared Nifong.
Nifong, who transfered to Warsaw from Triton over the summer, has been impressive thus far as a member of the Tiger squad.
Satuday, Nifong, along with junior Grant Slater, shot an 80.
Nifong struggled on the front nine, shooting a 43, but came back to shoot a 37, 1-over par, on the back nine.
"Second place is just the first loser," said junior Tad Nieter of Warsaw's performance in its invitational.
That's the sort of perspective you gain when you come back from three strokes down to earn a state crown.
Nieter led the way for the Tigers with a 79.
"I'm so happy for Tad," said Warsaw coach Ben Barkey. "He might say he's been struggling, but I'm pleased with his play. He's not satisfied with a 79."
Just Slater and Nieter return from the squad that won the state title. Varsity players Skyler Scott and Ryan Marose were varsity players last year but didn't play in the state finals.
"We have the potential to play really well," said Scott.
Scott shot an 85 and Marose's 91 was dropped.
"These second and thirds are tough but are better than nothing," said Barkey.
"The best thing I can say is our guys tried to play Stonehenge on a normal day. We play this course and 85 percent of the time it's not windy."
Warsaw and Cathedral were part of the last group, along with Mishawaka Marian, to finish the day.
Of the groups that finished earlier, Plymouth was the leader in the clubhouse. The Pilgrims flew under the radar and, despite not returning a lot from last year's team, were still able to post a third-place finish.
Plymouth also showed that as per usual the Northern Lakes Conference will be quite competitive this season.
"I'm not surprised with Plymouth," said Barkey. "Those kids have been playing (Stonehenge) since my second year. They're solid golfers. I'm just glad we beat them by a couple."
As for Triton, the Trojans overcame the winds, which blew stiffer earlier in the day, to shoot a 350 for 10th place.
T.J. Carpenter led the way for the the Trojans with an 81 while Reggie Davis shot an 87. Kyle Kreft carded an 88 and Clint Woodward finished with a 94. Corey Calvert's 103 was dropped.
The Tigers are in action today as they travel to Culver to take on Culver Academy and Logansport at 4:30 p.m.
Triton is in action again Thursday against host Elkhart Baptist.
Team scores -ÊIndianapolis Cathedral 320, Warsaw 324, Plymouth 329, Huntington North 332, Homestead 332, Bishop Chatard 339, Culver Academy 341, Rochester 343, Penn 345, Triton 350, Mishawaka Marian 357, Greencastle 364
Warsaw scores - Tad Nieter 79, Grant Slater 80, Jared Nifong 80, Skyler Scott 85, Ryan Marose 91
Triton scores - T.J. Carpenter 81, Reggie Davis 87, Kyle Kreft 88, Clint Woodward 94, Corey Calvert 103 [[In-content Ad]]