Warren Scarff matched the best 18-hole score of his career at the 2A sectional meet at the Tipton Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, but didn’t feel great about his chances to advance as the Golden Hawks gathered in the clubhouse. 

“Thinking the season was over, we were all sitting around watching scores being posted,” Mid-Prairie coach Kelby Bender said. “The more scores came in, the better his 88 was looking.”

Only the two lowest scores (and ties) from an individual not on a qualifying team advance to the district meet. The top 11 individuals on Wednesday were all members of qualifying teams. Scarff’s 88 tied for 13th — the last district qualifier. 

Scarff will play in the district meet on Monday at Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Wapello with a chance to qualify for the 2A state tournament. 

“He has worked hard and deserves this opportunity,” said Bender

The junior led Mid-Prairie with a 44 on the front nine and another 44 on the back nine. He had 13 bogeys and four pars in a steady performance. 

“My drive was on point, it was off on maybe two holes,” Scarff said after the sectional. “But then my short game was helping a lot.”

He was already familiar with the nine-hole course when the Golden Hawks arrived in Tipton on Wednesday morning. 

“I came out Saturday and got a practice round in,” Scarff said. “It’s a nice course, it’s easy to walk.”

Scarff got a little help as third-place Regina became an additional team qualifier when the sectional host Tipton placed in the top two. The two Regina individuals in the top 10 became team qualifiers, allowing Scarff to advance. 

West Branch was the sectional champ with a team score of 309 and Tipton was the runner up with 316, led by medalist Bob Ryan, who finished with 72 strokes. 

The Golden Hawks finished seventh with a team total of 395, but saw four golfers shoot better scores on the back nine 

“We started our slow and didn't play our best on the front nine,” Bender said. “I thought they did a great job of turning it around and they all played better on the back nine.”

Drew Schlabaugh bounced back from a tough start to finish the day with a total of 92. 

“Once he made his first par on his sixth hole  (the par-5 ninth) he was able to settle down and finished well,” Bender said. “He shot 48 on the front nine and came back with a 44 on the back, making five pars on the day.”

Ben Mattes, Ian Schmidt, and Carson Pence all shot better the second time through as well. 

“They started slow but finished well,” Bender said. “Ben shot a 57, 50 for a 107. Carson posted a personal best nine-hole score on the back of 51, after a front nine 57, for a personal best 18-hole score of 108.  Ian finished his career shooting a 60, 54 for a 114.

“They battled through the heat, stuck with it and finished strong. This group has worked hard, stuck with it and gave a great effort all season. I am proud of their accomplishments and all of the personal bests they shot this season.”