Grant Greazel

DES MOINES — The Marshalltown boys’ golf team took the opportunity to fill out its regular-season schedule while simultaneously getting a preview glimpse at the site of the Class 4A state tournament.

The Bobcats hope to get a refresher course in another week.

MHS got a medalist performance from Grant Greazel and the Bobcats beat Ames 328-352 in a make-up match on Thursday at Des Moines Golf & Country Club, sneaking at the peek at the site of the upcoming state meet on Oct. 9-10.

“We had an extra playing date due to the cancellation of the Ames Turk Bowman Invite, so it made sense to fill it with a round at the state tournament course where we could see it in a competitive setting,” said MHS head coach Lucas Johnson. “When we heard Ames was able to restart their season, I talked to their coach and he was more than willing to get his guys another playing date given they had to shut down for 2 weeks.”

Greazel and the Bobcats made the most of their last chance of the regular season. Greazel shot a 4-over-par 76 on the North Course, carding the day’s low round by a two-stroke advantage over Ames’ Sam Vertanen.

The Little Cyclones, however, didn’t support Vertanen the way the Marshalltown lineup showed up behind Greazel. Colin Schmit and Drake Polley both shot 82 for the Bobcats and Ryan Schmit closed out the team scoring with an 88. Cael Sandvick’s round of 89 and even Kevin Strand’s 96 would have been good enough for a Bobcat victory.

“The green complexes at Des Moines Golf are a challenge, and with the wind and cold weather it wasn’t playing easy,” said Johnson. “Grant Greazel had one of the best putting performances I’ve seen from him. For a stretch on the front nine, it seemed like he couldn’t miss.”

Ames had one scoring round in the 70s with Vertanen’s runner-up 78, but the rest of the Little Cyclones’ numbers were 89 or higher.

The Bobcats now head to the postseason, where they’ll tee up on Monday in the district meet at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. The top three teams and two individuals not on advancing teams will qualify for the state meet next weekend at Des Moines Golf & Country Club.

“We’re in a competitive district with many Cedar Rapids schools playing on familiar territory, but hopefully we can play well and get a chance to see the course again nesxt Friday and Saturday,” Johnson said.

Marshalltown 328, Ames 352

At Des Moines

Des Moines Golf & Country Club, North Course, par 72

Medalist — Grant Greazel, MHS, 76; Runner-up — Sam Vertanen, AMES, 78.

MARSHALLTOWN (328) — Greazel 76, Colin Schmit 82, Drake Polley 82, Ryan Schmit 88, Cael Sandvick 89, Kevin Strand 96.

AMES (352) — Vertanen 78, Derek Peng 89, Jay Voss 91, Jeff Swanson 94, Max Badding 95, Evan Vander Wilt 96.