MARSHALLTOWN — The Ottumwa girls golf team opened the season with a solid third-place finish Thursday at the Linda Bloom Bobcat Invitational in Marshalltown.

The Bulldogs shot a team round of 366, 15 strokes in back of winner Waukee (341), but only two shots behind second-place Grinnell (364) in the 18-team tourney at American Legion Golf Course. Both Waukee and Grinnell were state tournament teams last season, so the Bulldogs are in good company.

“I’d say against a very competitive field, this gives a great starting point for the season,” said Ottumwa coach Stephanie Carroll. “Waukee and Grinnell are two quality programs, so to compete with them and hold our own is encouraging as we move forward.”

Two Bulldog golfers finished in the top 10, as senior Sarah Stabile finished seventh with a round of 87 while senior Darby Patritto finished tied for ninth at 89. Waukee’s Payton Minear was meet medalist with a 77 while Grinnell’s Emily Elliott was runner-up at 83.

“That was Sarah’s best round of her career,” said Carroll.

Ottumwa’s Whitney Dostal shot 93, while Kelsey Nickerson was at 97, Maddie McKelvey shot 102 and Abbie Budan shot 103.

“With two top 10 finishers and solid scores from our other four players, it’s encouraging to have such great balance, one through six,” said Carroll.

The Bulldogs will get back into action on Tuesday, when Ottumwa hosts Pella in a dual at Cedar Creek Golf Course.

Linda Bloom Bobcat Invitational

At American Legion Golf Course

Marshalltown, 4-12

Team scoring — 1. Waukee 341, 2. Grinnell 364, 3. Ottumwa 366, 4. Newton 378, 4. Waukee JV 378, 4. West Des Moines Valley 378, 7. Ames 382, 8. Indianola 383, 9. Southeast Polk 392, 10. Marshalltown 393, 11. Mason City 411, 12. Norwalk 417, 13. Fort Dodge 427, 14. West Des Moines Valley JV 434, 15. Ames JV 449, 16. Des Moines Roosevelt/Hoover 477, 17. Marshalltown JV 517, 18. Norwalk JV 590.

Medalist — Payton Minear (WAU) 77.

Runner-up — Emily Elliott (GRIN) 83.

TOP TEN — 1. Payton Minear (WAU) 77, 2. Emily Elliott (GRIN) 83, 3. Ashley Harris (MARSH) 84, 3. Hannah Long (NEW) 84, 5. Kelsy Shay (WAU) 85, 6. Caitie Oder (WAU) 86, 7. Sarah Stabile (OTT) 87, 8. Mackenzie West (SEP) 88, 9. Brittany Best (WAU) 89, 9. Dani Duerschmidt (WDMV) 89, 9. Darby Patritto (OTT) 89, 9. Jalyn Briley (AMES) 89.

Ottumwa individuals — Sarah Stabile 87, Darby Patritto 89, Whitney Dostal 93, Kelsey Nickerson 97, Maddie McKelvey 102, Abbie Budan 103.

Ottumwa JV individuals — Callie Lawson 113, Brooke Mitchell 125.