Marshalltown girls golf is getting back into the flow this spring.
The Bobcats cruised to another Alliance dual victory on Tuesday, defeating Mason City 170-220 at American Legion Memorial Golf Course in Marshalltown.
Bobcat seniors Natalie Henson and Gaby Estabrook topped the individual leaderboards; Henson was the medalist at an even-par 35 and Estabrook shot a 43.
“There’s a lot of positives we can build on from today,” MHS head coach Lucas Johnson said. “At this point in the season, it’s really about just continuing to get those competitive juices flowing.”
With the teams playing the back nine, Henson birdied Nos. 11 and 14 but bogeyed two of her last three holes to settle for par.
The No. 14 birdie was a savvy recovery for Henson, missing the green to the right near the cart path but recovering with a bump-and-run to set up a doable birdie putt that she sunk for an eventful three.
“My driver was a little off today,” Henson said. “And the wind was huge, obviously the ball moves in the wind but reading the greens affects the ball too, just setting the ball down to see my line it’s moving around so I know it’ll move when it comes off the putter, that was a huge factor in reading the greens today and it got me toward the end like with my last putt because the wind kinda stopped so it didn’t play the ball the same way.”
Johnson praised a strong round from Emma Clawson with a 45, as well as freshman Morgan Hilderbrand making the counting scores for the second meet in a row with a 47.
“We talked a lot last year about how you’re only as good as your fourth score for the team, and for us to not only see that from our freshmen, but from Emma, that really helps build that depth when we get to meets where it’ll come down to that fourth scorer.”
Harper Wilson and Hanna Osgood contributed a 50 and 54, respectively.
The girls turn to a stretch of four 18-hole invitationals over the next two weeks, starting with Thursday at Otter Creek in Ankeny and ending two weeks later for the Linda Bloom Invitational at Elmwood on May 1.
“The team’s been doing a great job,” Henson said. “They’ve been practicing hard, practiced over the winter, which is huge, and honestly i’m so proud. I know they’re going to continue to work hard throughout the season, and we have high hopes.”
Marshalltown 170, Mason City 220
Medalist — Natalie Henson, MHS, 35. Runner-up — Gaby Estabrook, MHS, 43.
MHS (170) — Henson 35, Estabrook 43, Emma Clawson 45, Morgan Hilderbrand 47, Harper Wilson 50, Hanna Osgood 54.
Mason City (220) — Ava Watson 50, Cadence Rish 52, Lily Rath 57, Blair Smith 61, Kacey Bailey 61.
