The Reeths-Puffer golf team is off to a bumpy start in O-K Green conference play, but there's still a lot of reason for hope.
The Rockets finished fifth out of five teams at Wednesday's conference jamboree at the Muskegon Country Club. It was their second fifth place finish in two league events.
But they only finished five points out of second place and are expecting better results as the season moves along.
R-P totaled 168 points, behind second-place Byron Center and Caledonia (163) and fourth-place Jenison (164). Mona Shores won the event with a 152 score.
R-P's Jamie Neel
“Mona Shores is looking like the team to beat in the league," said R-P head coach Matt Pallett. "The other four teams are very comparable. Unfortunately, we have earned last place finishes in the first two matches. We are close, though. We were only 10 shots and 5 shots out of second in those two matches. We will work hard to turn that around.
“Our best golf is yet to come as a team. I look forward to seeing how we progress.”
One Rocket who had a very good night was senior Jamie Neel, who had his best round of high school golf by shooting a 40 and finishing in ninth place individually. It was Neel's first top 10 finish in high school golf.
Kristian Brown and Ayden Hartzell each shot a 42 for R-P. Aiden Waggoner and Kaeden Benner each shot a 44 while Kye Grant shot a 48.
“I am very happy for Jamie Neel," Pallett said. "This was his best night as a varsity golfer. He has worked extremely hard to put himself in a position to help this team.”
The Rockets will compete in the third O-K jamboree on Monday.