Sports : Vikette golfers begin delayed season with victories; Tandy, Lamont lead VS in first two meets

After some weather-related delays, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikette golf team and coach Janet Woodhouse finally had a chance to compete, as VS won the Triangular Meet at Lake MacBride Golf Course, Solon, and later defeated Independence at the Vinton Country Club. Coach's report, Triangular meet: Overcast, cool- low 50s Par 36 Team Scores: V-S 213 Solon 233 W. Delaware 250 Meet medalist: Rachel Tandy V-S 47 Runner Up Medalist: Lillie Lamont 49 Individual Scores: Rachel Tandy 47 Lillie Lamont 49 Brandi Gerber 54 Lauren Murray 63 noncounters: Jordan Pattee, Carli Lang JV: Abbye Hendryx We finally had the opportunity to play 9 holes… and without winter coats! It wasn't pretty, but we knew going in that the first meet would be challenging due to limited outside practice. However, there were bright spots. Low putts: Rachel Tandy with 16, two scores in the 40s, freshman Lauren Murray scoring as a varsity member. The team has worked hard with inside drills, and that paid off; probably not with consistency, but that will come. As a team, we had too many penalty strokes, an area we hope to improve. All in all, I was pleased with our efforts. We had several golfers with limited experience playing in high school golf meets and they were nervous. That will improve with experience. The Benton Tournament has been canceled for Saturday due to cold weather. We are scheduled to play two away meets next week: Tuesday hosted by South Tama at the Tama Golf Course and Thursday hosted by Independence at Three Elms. V-S Girls Golf Dual meet at 3 Elms, Independence, par 35 Weather: overcast, low 60s Team Scores: V-S 196 Independence 220 Medalist; Rachel Tandy, VS 44 Runner up: Kelsey Gruber, Indee 46 V-S Individuals: Rachel Tandy 44 Lillie Lamont 47 Brandi Gerber 48 Lauren Murray 57 non counters: Abbye Hendryx and Jordan Pattee Carli Lang also competed. We had a good night on a course most of the team had not played before: Rachel and Brandi played this course two years ago and both lowered their scores from then considerably. I was happy to see the team break the 200 marker this early in the season. Almost everyone had an improved score from the Solon meet, and our putting was much better. Rachel Tandy was the putting green queen with 14. Freshman Lauren Murray again had a varsity score that counted. We have several young players and they're learning what it is to play new courses and compete at the high school level. If the weather cooperates, we will play at Jesup's course against Don Bosco tomorrow. We are scheduled to play a quadrangular against Williamsburg, Marion and Clear Creek-Amana Monday on the challenging Amana Golf Course. Coach's report, VS-Indee dual Weather: overcast, low 60s Team Scores: V-S 196 Independence 220 Medalist; Rachel Tandy, VS 44 Runner up: Kelsey Gruber, Indee 46 V-S Individuals: Rachel Tandy 44 Lillie Lamont 47 Brandi Gerber 48 Lauren Murray 57 non counters: Abbye Hendryx and Jordan Pattee Carli Lang also competed. We had a good night on a course most of the team had not played before: Rachel and Brandi played this course two years ago and both lowered their scores from then considerably. I was happy to see the team break the 200 marker this early in the season. Almost everyone had an improved score from the Solon meet, and our putting was much better. Rachel Tandy was the putting green queen with 14. Freshman Lauren Murray again had a varsity score that counted. We have several young players and they're learning what it is to play new courses and compete at the high school level.