PITTSBURG — Iola High’s Mustangs are right where head coach Doug Kerr wants them to be with their golf games.
Fresh off taking second in their season-opener last week in Independence, the Mustangs did one better, taking home first place at the Pittsburg Invitational.
Meanwhile, Iola’s Kaden Macha made it 2-for-2, winning his second individual title of the season with an even par 72. He was three strokes better than his nearest competitor, Independence’s Calvin Hugo (75).
Kerr said Macha’s opening hole set the tone. After Macha duffed his approach shot, the ball was sitting on the edge of the green, 40 or so yards from the hole.
“He was just hoping to get it close with his first putt,” Kerr said.
Instead, Macha drained the birdie putt, while his two fellow competitors had bogeys.
The Mustangs wound up four strikes ahead of Independence — the same team that edged Iola for the team title last week — 315 to 319.
“I thought this course was tougher,” Kerr said, “and we shaved five strokes off our score from last week. Everybody did a great job today.”
Drake Dieker and Shane Walden both carded 80s, while Weston Hines shot an 83. Matt Jacobs finished at 89, and Adam Peterson at 94.
“Drake’s round was key,” Kerr said. “We moved him up in our rotation so he was playing against some better players. He responded with the best round of golf he’s had in a while.”
Iola resumes action Tuesday at Osawatomie. The Mustang junior varsity is at Anderson County Monday.
