Greencastle places second, Cloverdale third in tri-match

CLAYTON -- Greencastle's 208 delivered a split in a West Central Conference three-way golf match Wednesday, defeating short-handed Cloverdale's 213 and falling to Monrovia's 200 at Deer Creek Golf Club.

Jessie Bennett had the low nine-hole round for the Tiger Cubs (5-8, 4-3 WCC) with a 48 and Katie Hedge shot 49. Kenzie St. Marie scored 54 and Lauren Bridgewater's 57 completed the total. Liz Johnson shot 61.

"Jessie has really struggled the past week and we've worked hard on her mental game and swing," Greencastle coach Brad Kingma said. "She worked hard and played well and it saved us."

Kingma also praised Bridgewater, who is a golf novice.

"Lauren had a real good match," Kingma said. "It's the first time we've used her score and it was important. She lowered her (previous best) score by four strokes. She's worked hard and it's started to show. Steve Paquin (Greencastle boys' golf coach) helped get her swing in shape."

Victoria Boyette shot 47, Sydney Shrum 48, Anna Spencer 56 and Dani Ellebrecht 62 for Cloverdale, which was without usual No. 3 player Makala Moore due to a hip injury.

"All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with the team score," Clovers' coach Matthew Langdon said. "Sydney was not her best today and our number three was out and it ended up close with Greencastle, we only lost by five strokes. Anna Spencer got into the 50s and it was nice to get that fourth player this season into the 50s. Makala has been in the 50s and we hope her injury is minor and we get her back for the conference match next Saturday (Sept. 10)."

Shrum had shot a school-record 38 on Monday against Owen Valley and lowered the record to 36 at Crawfordsville Country Club on Tuesday.

"This (Wednesday) was my worst round this year," Shrum said. "It's the first time (in a dual match) I haven't been the medalist."

Monrovia's Meredith Knieper shot a 44 for medalist honors.

At Deer Creek Golf Club

Monrovia 200, Greencastle 208, Cloverdale 213

Greencastle-- Jessie Bennett 48, Katie Hedge 49, Kenzie St. Marie 54, Lauren Bridgewater 57, Liz Johnson 61.

Cloverdale -- Victoria Boyette 47, Sydney Shrum 48, Anna Spencer 56, Dani Ellebrecht 62.

Monrovia -- Meredith Knieper 44, Chrislyn Church 45, Chelsea Hamilton 55, Erin Hays 56.

Medalist: Knieper.