Ben Mertens made a good day better Monday. The Warrenton golfer joined teammates Travis Toebben, Brenden Day and Brendan Schanuel, who finished in the top 16 of Monday’s Class 3, District 4 …
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Ben Mertens made a good day better Monday.
The Warrenton golfer joined teammates Travis Toebben, Brenden Day and Brendan Schanuel, who finished in the top 16 of Monday’s Class 3, District 4 Tournament at the Links at Dardenne.
All four players will compete in Monday’s sectional tournament.
“I had a strong feeling that we’d at least get three guys through,” Head Coach Aaron Jinkerson said. “But getting that fourth guy through (Mertens) was pleasantly surprising. He’s put in a lot of work as a golfer the last four years, and it’s nice to see those guys have some success.”
Sophomore Toebben led the way with a 10-over 82, and will be looking for his second straight trip to the state tournament next week.
“He’s a guy that just doesn’t let much get to him,” Jinkerson said. “He played lights out Wednesday for conference, but he struggled a bit today because I think he overestimated how well he was going to do today. He had to battle a little bit. He came through with a solid score of 82, but I think he learned a lot today. I think he learned how to manage a course better going into sectionals next week.”
The biggest surprise for Jinkerson and his players appeared to be the condition of the course.
Despite poor weather most of the season, Dardenne didn’t play as soft as people predicted.
“The golf balls were bouncing hard, and it’s crazy how dry everything is already with all the rain we’ve had this year,” Jinkerson said. “But I just noticed everything was rolling out. The greens were harder than they should be at this time of the year.”
The Warriors did have an advantage, however.
It was the third trip to the course in the last week.
“They definitely knew the course by today, but they told me on the way home that they’re glad don’t have to see that course again for a while because I think they were taking easier than what it was,” Jinkerson said. “But it’s nice that they did so well.”
Day finished tied for 10th (12-over), Schanuel finished 18th (15-over) and Mertens finished 25th (23-over).
Samuel Hanser of MICDS won the tournament with a 3-over 75.
The Warrenton quartet will head to the Franklin County Country Club Monday in Washington.
“I’ve played the course five or six times, and it’s more of a shot-maker’s course than today’s was,” Jinkerson said. “You have to place your ball in certain spots there to do well. It’s really not a course you have to hit your driver a lot. You need to place your ball well off the tee, and it’s a thinking-man’s golf course. You have to think your way through all 18 holes for sure. It’s not a grip it and rip it course at all.”
Toebben expects to contend for a state-qualifying spot Monday, but Jinkerson was quick to point out the upswing in competition.
“With MICDS, Borgia and Priory in our group, you can’t have any blowup holes,” he said. “I think guys will have to shoot 10-over or better. I think we have some guys that can do it, but it’s going to be a challenge.”
.STRONG START — Warrenton's Travis Toebben watches his first tee shot land in the middle of the fairway Monday morning at the Links at Dardenne. Kory Carpenter photo.
