BV places in middle of pack at invite

Brandon Valley placed in the middle of the pack in their season opener, the two-day Warrior-Lynx Invite. Day one of the tournament was played at Willow Run, and the 15-team tournament moved to the Brandon Golf Course for day two. 

Fresh off of the state SDGA Men’s Amateur tournament, Austin Swenson’s 163 two-day total (82, 81) landed him in a tie for 27th place. Senior Mitch Gusso opened with an 81 and came back with an 83 on the home course for 30th place. Teammates Jackson Faber and Matt Gusso lined up with their matching 166 scores to tie for 36th. Lucas Schobert finished the two-day tourney with a 169 (tie for 43rd). Emmet Hansen, the newest member to join the varsity ranks, shot a two-day, 176 total and tie for 57th place.

Lynx head coach Scott Carroll said his team had a good first day at Willow, where they produced a 319-team tally.

“We were right there in the top six with most of the AA schools,” he said. “Jackson (Faber) played really well and the others had played well, but some unfortunate holes kept them from shooting better. Consistency is going to be a big thing with these guys. They played well for about 15 holes but have to eliminate those couple really bad holes.”  

Tuesday, unfortunately, didn’t go as planned.

“We ended up fading back to number 9, which woke the boys up a little. At the end of day one they were really pushing to catch a couple more schools and get into the top five, but the ball just wasn’t rolling the right way for the Lynx on their home course,” the coach said.

Despite the early-season setback, Carroll hasn’t lost confidence in the team.

“I have no doubt these guys will rebound. The first day showed that we are right there in ESD and the state. I am excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for the Lynx golf program,” he said.

The Lynx will compete in the Huron Invitational on Friday and next Monday return to the home course for a 2 p.m. triangular with Sioux Falls Roosevelt and Washington.