Cape’s golf team bounces back for second in conference
May 21, 1999
The Vikings turned around their season in the last week and put together a real team effort with a second-place finish in the Henlopen Conference Tournament May 17, at Sussex Pines Country Club.
The course played tough, with high rough, hard greens, and a 15 to 20 mile-per-hour wind. Nonetheless, the Cape team combined for a 330 score, just 23 shots behind Dover and 14 shots ahead of third-place Milford. “It was an exciting finish,” said co-head coach Jerry Dorneman.
Dan Prettyman took medallist honors for the tournament with a 2-under 70. He birdied holes 1, 3, and 8 for a 33 on the front nine. The back nine was a little tougher, where Prettyman shot one over par 37. He bogeyed No. 12, when he pushed his drive into the trees and was forced to pitch out.
After a birdie at No. 14, Prettyman’s only other blemish on his round was a bogey on the 17th hole. By then, Prettyman was admittedly “just a little pumped up,” and his approach shot flew over the green by 20 yards. He calmed down with a booming drive on the 18th hole. A routine wedge and 2-putt finished his day, surrounded by his teammates.
Prettyman played among the last groups, along with all the other schools’ No. 1 players. He credited his “best tournament round” primarily to his putting, with only 27 putts, including 7 lip-outs.
Adam Talley finished second among the Cape players with an 83. Admittedly nervous at the start, Talley double bogeyed the first hole. Pars on the third, seventh, and eighth holes helped offset another double on the fifth hole. His birdies on the 9th and eleventh holes helped even more. Talley didn’t have to putt on the 9th hole; he chipped in for his 3 instead. His birdie on the 11th was a bit more routine—a one-putt from 2 feet.
Talley said the greens were hard to hold, and he eventually tried to bounce his shots up to the greens. He felt his putting could have been better, since he left several putts an inch or two short.
Mark Johnson took third score honors for Cape with an 86. Double bogeys on holes 1, 12, and 13 were not pleasant, especially since putting problems caused them. Johnson said he had “trouble with the green speeds all day,” leaving some putts short and others long. On the other hand, Johnson hit eleven out of 14 fairways and 12 out of 16 greens in regulation. He also parred holes 3, 7, 8, 14, 15, and 18.
Josh Marr completed the scoring for Cape by posting a 47 on the front and a 44 on the back for a 91. Marr said he had “some trouble reacting to the excitement” of the conference tournament. For example, he flew his approach shot over the green on the 10th hole from 180 yards out with a 7-iron. That’s excited.
On May 12 The Vikings tuned up for the conference tournament May 12, by surprising Smyrna, 160-167, at Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Prettyman led all players with his 38. Johnson shot a 39, and the Marr twins completed the team scores. Josh shot 41 and Beau shot 42. The stunning win took the team to a 9-6 final season record.
The State Tournament is next, scheduled for June 1-2 at Maple Dale Country Club in Dover.