CONTRIBUTED PHOTO • Members of the Marshalltown High School girls’ golf team, including (from left) Bella Russell, Kyra Feldman, Emily Hass, Kassy Vest and Emma Younkin pose after placing third at the Valley Classic-Lamson Invite on Wednesday at Willow Creek Golf Course in West Des Moines.

WEST DES MOINES — The Marshalltown girls golf team had its best performance of the season on Wednesday as they took third out of 14 in the Valley Classic-Lamson Invite at Willow Creek Golf Course.

Kassy Vest led the Bobcats by placing fifth individually with a 9-over 78, a new personal record for Vest. MHS head coach Lucas Johnson said this was the best he has ever seen his senior perform, and it had potential to be an even better round.

“Kassy Vest was in complete control of her game and only had one score higher than five,” Johnson said. ” On a shorter course like Willow Creek, her length off the tee put her in some great scoring positions. Given that she hit nine greens in regulation, it could have been an even lower round if a few birdie putts had dropped.”

Vest might have been the lowest score but she was by no means the only good showing for Marshalltown. Five of the six girls finished with their career-best rounds, with Emily Hass finishing in 16th with an 85, Bella Russell placing just behind in 17th after also shooting an 85, then Kyra Feldman, Ciara Feldman and Emma Younkin following with a 92, 92 and 113 respectively.

“Whenever you get five players shooting a career-best on the same day, you know you’re going to have some success,” Johnson said. “340 is the lowest 18-hole team score we’ve had by a girls team in my six years as coach by 20 strokes.”

All season the Bobcats have shown they have prowess driving off the tee, but the mid and short game has given them some problems. Johnson said that was the main difference in his girls having such a spectacular round.

“Our putting and short games were on today and the girls are starting to demonstrate much better touch around the greens,” Johnson said. “They still have a ways to go, but I’m really happy with the amount of up and downs we’re seeing when we miss a green in regulation.”

The Bobcats got a bit of extra good news on Wednesday when they learned they will be hosting the Class 4A Region 3 Tournament at the American Legion Memorial Golf Course on Monday, May 21.

Marshalltown returns to action at home today when it hosts Johnston for a CIML Iowa Conference dual at Elmwood Country Club, the first action of the year at Elmwood for the Bobcats this season.

Valley Classic – Lamson Invite

At West Des Moines

Willow Creek Golf Course, par 69

Team Standings — 1. Wuakee 301, 2. West Des Moines Valley 322, 3. Marshalltown 340, 4. Southeast Polk 344, 5. Johnston 346, 6. Des Moines Roosevelt 357, 7. Ames 365, 8. Newton 371, 9. Mason City 374, 10. Ankeny 402, 11. Urbandale 412, 12. Indianola 481, 13. Fort Dodge 448, 14. Des Moines East 455.

Individual (top 10) — 1. Brooke Boardman, Waukee, 67; 2. Paige Hoffman, Valley, 70; 3. Abbie Gault, JHN, 76; 4. Grace Gallagher, Waukee, 77; 5. Kassy Vest, MHS, 78; 6. Jessey Wyzgowski, Waukee, 78; 7. Katelyn Mardis, Waukee, 79; 8. Jenna Krogulski, Valley, 80; 9. Jaci Webb, Ankeny, 80; 10. Alayna Reynolds, Newton, 80.

MARSHALLTOWN (340) — Vest 78, Emily Hass 85, Bella Russell 85, Kyra Feldman 92, Ciara Feldman 92, Emma Younkin 113.