The Reeths-Puffer boys golf team apparently has a freshman who will be a real contributor this season.
Ninth-grader Ian Vokal launched his varsity career on Monday by shooting an 85, the second-best score for the R-P squad, at the season-opening Forest Hills Invitational at Egypt Valley Country Club.
Vokal birdied his very first hole and went on to have a strong outing for the Rockets.
“Ian Vokal was impressive today in his first high school golf tournament,” said R-P head coach Matt Pallett. “I was most impressed with his mental toughness. He had a few shots that cost him several strokes, but those shots did not linger to the next hole. He is a mature golfer at a young age.”
Overall the Rockets had a tough season-opener, shooting 383 as a team and finishing in 21st place in the tournament.
R-P freshman Ian Vokal
R-P’s top golfer was the guy who is likely to fill that role all season – senior Kristian Brown. He shot an 83, which was good for 31st place individually, and was 10 strokes better than his score last year.
Brown birdied two holes on Monday.
“Kristian Brown played well today,” Pallett said. “He had a couple of missed shots that cost him some strokes, but he putted well. He has worked hard on his putting and that will be a big factor in him having the great season that I am expecting him to have.”
Junior Liam Thomas was third on the team with a score of 105. Senior Beckett Mathes came in fourth with a score of 110 while senior Carter Hekkema shot a round of 114.
“Egypt Valley is a tough course, especially if you are not playing well,” Pallett said. “I purposely challenged our team by putting us in a tough competition on a tough course for our first event. This event will make us better.”
The Rockets will compete in their first O-K Green conference jamboree of the season on Tuesday.