Greazel climbs on final day at state
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PLEASANT VALLEY -- The last hole of the season will go a long way to motivate Marshalltown golfer Joe Greazel for next fall.
A closing double bogey left the Bobcat junior wanting more on Tuesday at the Class 4A boys' state golf tournament at Davenport Country Club. Greazel shot 79-75--154 to tie for 27th place in the two-day, 36-hole event, finishing up his state meet debut climbing the leaderboard until a tough finish.
Greazel birdied two of his first four holes to start Tuesday's final round, but the scoring was unsustainable. He shot a 1-over-par 36 on the back nine -- his first nine holes -- and closed with a 3-over 39 that included seven pars, a bogey, and a double bogey 7 on the par-5 ninth.
"His final hole of the day didn't go how he wanted, but overall it was an effort he should be proud of," said MHS head coach Lucas Johnson. "This will be an experience he draws on next year when I'm fairly certain he'll be back at state hopefully joined by teammates."
Greazel's round of 4-over tied for the 19th-best score of the day, which moved him up 10 spots in the final standings. He emerged tied for 37th after Monday's opening round but climbed 10 spots with Tuesday's finale.
"Joe played much better and managed his game well, especially on the par fives," said Johnson. "He got more putts to drop and had some excellent par saves to keep climbing the leaderboard."
Waukee junior Jonathan Ward, a University of Illinois commit, carded an 8-under 63 on Tuesday to charge from ninth place to state medalist honors with a 5-under 137. Johnson's Henry Backer and Dubuque Wahlert's Cal Martineau took runner-up honors at even-par 142.
Dallas Center-Grimes claimed the team title with a two-day total of 584, Pleasant Valley was second with a 596 and North Scott was third out of 12 state-qualifying teams at 597.