Bison boys slip at Hastings golf meet

HASTINGS, Neb. -- The McCook High School boys golf team couldn't overcome a tough course and tough weather Thursday, April 12, at the Hastings Invitational.

The Bison boys finished eighth out of 12 teams in a predominant field of Class A squads in the meet played at the Lochland Country Club. McCook had an 18-hole team total of 346 strokes.

Omaha Creighton Prep won the meet with a low total of 307 strokes. Kearney High was second with a 322, and host Hastings High finished third with a 325, two strokes ahead of Columbus.

Millard North was fifth with a 328, followed by Norfolk with a 338, Grand Island in seventh with a 340 and the Bison.

McCook head coach Rick Haney said his squad has to learn to handle the tough conditions.

"It was a tough day for the Bison," Haney said. "If there was trouble, we seemed to find it consistently. Lockland has a fair amount of water, sand, and trees -- all of which we seemed to find.

"The weather was tough but not an excuse. The rain and wind was a factor, but we should have been able to deal with it better. We need to learn to focus and to play under adverse conditions."

Sean Backer led the Bison with an 18-hole total of 84 strokes. The junior tied for 20th in the final individual standings.

"It was not like Sean had a bad side to his round -- he shot a 42 and a 42 to complete his 84," Coach Haney said.

Sophomore Mack Alspaugh shot an 85, and senior Alan Goodenberger carded an 86.

"Mack had trouble getting the greens figured out, and Alan found an abnormal number of sand traps," Haney said.

Perhaps the highlight of the meet for the Bison was the play of two sophomores. James Mitnik shot a 91, and David Durner had a 92 as they continue to grow in their first season of varsity competition.

"For those two to combat the elements and score, those scores was good," Haney said.

Seven teams entered at Hastings, including the Bison, will compete again together in the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference meet later this spring.

HASTINGS INVITATIONAL

Team Standings

Top 15 Individual Medalists

McCook Individual Scores