Second for both: Jamestown College teams earn runner-up at home invite

When talented teams suffer an early-season setback, it can sometimes lead to an awakening of the beast.

That’s what first-year Jamestown College head golf coach Dustin Jensen is hoping for, following what can only be described as a shaky start to the 2012 season for the Jimmie men during the Jimmie Open at Jamestown Country Club on Wednesday.

The Jimmies’ ace, junior Tommy Rockis, carded a one-round score of 78 to lead JC, as the Jimmies took second to Valley City State by seven strokes (320-327) on a blazing hot, blustery day in Jamestown.

“It’s a huge disappointment for us. The conditions were tough, the course was tough and we just played a horrendous front nine,” Jensen said. “The back nine was the complete opposite. We came around and shot even par.

“It’s disappointing to lose the first tournament, but maybe it will light a fire under our bellies.”

The Jimmies are coming off a 2011 campaign that yielded eight wins out of nine meets competed in, and many have the Jimmies pegged to be loaded for bear once again.

But on Wednesday, Jamestown Nos. 2-3 golfers — senior Jack Bietz and junior Kameron Hunter — finished 10 shots over par (82) in a four-way tie for tenth.

“I think each of those upperclassmen will tell you they won’t shoot a score higher than that this season,” Jensen said.

Jamestown College freshman Tyler Baukol carded the team’s fourth-best score with a round of 85 to just crack the top 20.

“Tyler’s just coming in. It’s his first week of classes, first tournament,” Jensen said. “He’s a great player but it was just a bad day. We’re expecting a lot of great things out of him.”

Northern State’s Curry Kuehl finished on top of the scoreboard with a round of 75.

The Jimmie women opened a few eyes on Wednesday, carding a team score of 375 and finishing second to Minot State’s round of 329. Minot’s Rebecca Heinitz was medalist with a 71.

“For me, that was a huge surprise,” Jensen said of his team. “Every one of our girls shot a better score than they did in their qualifying round.

“It means a lot to them to play well and to get better,” Jensen added. “The girls worked hard this week and really surprised me.”

The women were led by freshman Ashley Barnhart’s round of 91, followed closely by junior Brianna Stein’s 93. Barnhart finished tied for sixth, while Stein’s round placed her eighth.

The Jimmies’ Nicole Stein and Beth Ryan each cracked the top 15, shooting rounds of 95 and 96, respectively.

“Ashley is someone that we think we turn into a special player for us over the next four years,” Jensen said. “We anticipate scores of 85 or better in most tournaments going forward for her.”

The Jimmies travel to Mandan on Tuesday to compete in the Bismarck State Invite, before heading to Anoka, Minn., to compete in the Augsburg College Fall Invitational on Sept. 8-9.

“Bismarck will kind of be a tune-up for (Augsburg),” Jensen said. “We’ll be using this event next week to get lined up to go down there with our guns in the holsters and ready to go.”

Results can be found in the scoreboard.

Sun sports writer Michael Savaloja can be reached at (701) 952-8461 or by email at mikes@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jimmies, golf