GREENWOOD -- The Siloam Springs boys golf team came up one stroke short on Thursday.
The Panthers shot an 18-hole team round of 319, but Greenwood shot one stroke better at 318 in a varsity golf match held at Vache Grasse Country Club.
"I thought today showed just how important every single stroke is," said Siloam Springs golf coach Michael Robertson. "Greenwood is a good team. Those guys were ahead of Jonesboro and Searcy after day one of the (Mountain Home) Bomber Invitational, so we knew we had to play well today. We hit the ball well enough to win but got off to a really poor start and didn't finish quite like we would want."
Junior golfer Cody Beyer led the Panthers with a 74, while Greenwood's Nathan Munday was medalist with a 73. Evan Griffith followed with a 75 for Greenwood, while Ryan Reagan shot 76 and Wyatt Blevins 94.
Siloam Springs senior Aaron Jones shot 78, junior Noah Karp 82, freshman Karson Clement 85 and freshman Chase Beyer 102.
"Cody had a great round minus two holes," Robertson said. "Noah and Karson played well on the back nine. Aaron hit well off the tee but hit it through fairways because of the unfamiliarity of the course. I could tell throughout the match it was going to be super close. In the end, our poor start hurt us."
In boys junior varsity action, junior Will Gambill shot 93, while freshman Josh Johnson shot 100 and sophomore Solo Jackson 106.
"The exciting thing is we know we are capable of playing much better and lost by one to a really good Greenwood team," Robertson said. "We will have them at home in a couple weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing how we improve between now and then."
Girls
Greenwood won the girls match 255-284. Sydnie Gamble of Greenwood shot 78 overall to lead Greenwood, Lexie Adams shot 85, Molly Lynch 92, Marleigh Glasglow 112 and Sarah Moore 115.
Senior Amanda Glass led Siloam Springs with an 88, while Brinkley Beever shot 90, junior Halle Hevener 115, freshman McKenzie Blanchard 118 and junior Alli Tolliver 134. Junior Bailey Turner also shot a 106.
"Our girls just keep getting better," Robertson said. "I looked back and we improved 32 strokes over 18 holes compared to playing there last year.
"Greenwood is always the favorite in 6A and has one of the best players in the state in Gamble, but I am proud of Amanda and Brinkley. They were a couple breaks from being right there with her on her home course. We came into the year asking them to play around 90, and they have been under it the last 3 matches. It's been fun to watch. All of our girls are showing improvement and working hard to get their scores where we need them. ... We have another month to keep working to find more consistency, but I am excited about how well we are playing as a group. It's going to be a fun September."
Up next
The Panthers and Lady Panthers host Springdale and Alma at 3:30 p.m. on Monday at Siloam Springs Country Club.
Sports on 08/30/2015