Golfers continue to fair well on the fairway

The Hill City Rangers golf team is mowing down the greens this season, taking home a first and second place win over the last week. 

The boys played the  Marjean Huber Invite at the Belle Fourche Country Club April 16, earning a first place, despite cold and wind. The Rangers were able to capture the team title with a team total of 243.  Philip, Timber Lake and Wall followed the Rangers in a tight tournament.

Zane Messick was once again the top scorer for the team, taking second place overall with a round of 78. Breylon Rahn took fifth place, followed by Leyton Thayer who finished sixth overall. Max Rupert (89), Colt Eckert (98) and Blake Winter rounded out the Ranger team. 

“It was nice to get the win on a windy, cool day,” said coach Josh Daiss.  “Conditions were tough, but the kids battled.”

On April 20, the boys traveled to Wall, narrowly finishing in second place as a team by a mere one stroke. The Rangers finished with a team total of 225 which was runner up to Wall’s 224. 

“We played well today with all four boys shooting 80 or below. This was the first time we have attended this tournament and only losing to Wall by one on their home course is a nice result,” said Daiss.

Rupert and Thayer both grabbed personal records. But it was Messick who took the spotlight, competing in a sudden death against White River’s Bryson One Star. A player can win a sudden death by scoring lower than their opponent on that hole. 

In this case, it took five holes of play before Messick was able to best One Star and take home a first place personal win for the tournament.

“Zane getting the win was exciting, and I was proud of the way he managed the course today. He and Bryson battled in the playoff, going one under through four holes. Zane was able to keep the pressure on and finally broke through on the fifth playoff hole,” said Daiss.

The team now heads to the Philip Invite April 24.