OTTUMWA — They jokingly refer to themselves as the dynamic duo, but Matthew Walker and Joe Wetrich’s performances at Thursday’s dual against Indianola was no laughing matter.
The Ottumwa golfers were at the vanguard of the Bulldog’s impressive victory over the Indians at Cedar Creek golf course Thursday.
Walker took first overall with an excellent round of 34 — two under par — on the front nine. Wetrich, who also happened to be teamed up with Walker that day; finished just one stroke behind him with a score of 35.
The two scores helped the Bulldogs finish with an overall score of 142, which turned out to be 32 strokes better than their opponents.
“Putting was saving me today,” Wetrich said. “We saved a lot of strokes with a flat stick.”
The two Ottumwa golfers, however, were not the only ones who played well for the Bulldogs. Ottumwa’s comfortable margin of victory can largely be attributed to a team effort. In fact, every Ottumwa varsity player managed to shoot a better round than anyone on the Indianola roster. In addition, one of the Bulldogs’ junior varsity players — Dillon Patritto, who shot a 38 — also finished with a better round than any of the Indians.
Finishing not far behind Walker and Wetrich were Bulldogs Hoyt Grooms and Braxton Coble; who also were grouped together during the meet. Grooms shot an even par (36) and Coble finished with a 37.
“We both made a a lot of putts,” Grooms said. “It’s a pretty easy course. You can make some bad shots and still do pretty good.”
Rounding out the scoring for Ottumwa were Brandon Lien and Jacob Gardner, who both shot a round of 39.
The Bulldogs will compete in the Ames Invitational Monday at the Ames Golf and Country Club.
Ottumwa dual against Indianola
At Cedar Creek Golf Course
Sept. 6, 2012
Par 36
Team scoring — Ottumwa 142, Indianola 174
Medalist — Matt Walker 34.
Runner-up — Joe Wetrich 35.
Ottumwa individuals — Walker 34, Wetrich 35, Hoyt Grooms 36, Braxton Coble 37, Jacob Gardner 39, Brandon Lien 39.
Indianola — Britton Vanderlinden 40, Jeff Hulen 44, Joe Krapfl 45, Jordan Huff 48, Jacob Manning 53
