On a golf course where small mistakes often snowball into bigger ones, the Marshalltown girls’ golf team minimized the damage at every turn.

The Bobcats posted four counting scores of 45 or better in Tuesday’s home-opening dual meet against Ankeny, hammering the Hawks 167-212 over the front nine holes at Elmwood Country Club.

Marshalltown amassed the five lowest scores of the meet, including a medalist round of 3-over-par 38 for senior Amber Henson and a runner-up round of 40 for her younger sister Natalie Henson. Brynn Van Buren was next in order with her 44 and Norah Wilson notched a 45 to complete the team scoring.

Gaby Estabrook’s 49 didn’t count toward the Bobcats’ final score, but it was still better than any of Ankeny’s rounds. Autumn Thompson added a 56 for MHS.

“It was great to get five scores under 50 in our first meet at Elmwood,” said Marshalltown head coach Lucas Johnson. “The greens were rolling quick and smooth and provided a solid test for our girls. Once we got the speeds down, we were able to roll in some nice birdie putts on the closing stretch.

“I was especially proud of the way the girls didn’t let a bad shot or a bad hole carry over into later parts of the round.”

The four scoring Bobcats posted nothing higher than a double bogey, and the Henson sisters both birdied the same hole. Amber’s round included four bogeys and a birdie on the par-4 eighth, while Natalie had four bogeys, a double bogey and a birdie on No. 8.

“Amber Henson was 3-over through her first three holes and did a great job staying patient and played even par the rest of the way,” Johnson said.

Olivia Froelich led Ankeny with a 51.

Marshalltown is back at home on Thursday for the Linda Bloom Invite, which tees off at 10 a.m. at Elmwood.

“Getting a chance to play Elmwood in competition a couple days before the Linda Bloom Invitational and having positives to build on makes for a great start to a busy week,” Johnson said.

Marshalltown 167, Ankeny 212

Elmwood Country Club, front nine, par 35

Medalist — Amber Henson, MHS, 38; Runner-up — Natalie Henson, MHS, 40.

MARSHALLTOWN (167) — A. Henson 38, N. Henson 40, Brynn Van Buren 44, Norah Wilson 45, Gaby Estabrook 49, Autumn Thompson 56.

ANKENY (212) — Olivia Froelich 51, Gabby Schnepf 52, Naomi Schraderbachar 53, Isabella Ross 56, Addison Smith 58, Gia Blaser 59.