SWV’s Baldwin lone qualifier in district golf

 RED OAK — The golf season continues on for one area golfer.

Evan Baldwin of Southwest Valley was the only golfer to advance to districts during Friday’s 2A sectional meet at the Red Oak Country Club.

Baldwin shot a 79 to finish in a tie for fourth along with Clarinda’s Zach Woodard to get into districts, which will take place Friday morning at Lake Panorama in Panora.

“First year I’ve done it since my freshman year,” Baldwin said. “It feels good.”

Baldwin had a 40 on the front nine, putting him in a tie for third entering the back nine at the Red Oak Country Club.

“I just had that mentality of taking one shot at a time, of getting the ball close to the hole, as close as I possibly can,” Baldwin said. “I made some good putts today and I felt good about my short game.”

The senior struggled early on the back nine with some rough tee shots, but made up for it with his short game.

“I had some trouble with my tee shots, hit one in the hazard,” he said. “That short game really gave me some confidence, gave me some motivation.”

Nate Hill of Treynor took the medalist honors when he shot a 74.

Clayton Miller of East Union was runner-up with a 76. Carlton Rahn was third with a 77. Baldwin said his goal was to shoot a 77.

“With the way I was playing, I’m perfectly fine with what I shot,” he said. “I’m happy with that.”

Neither Southwest Valley or Red Oak were able to qualify as a team at districts.

Red Oak finished third with a score of 358, while Southwest Valley took fourth with 362.

Treynor (333) and Clarinda (339) occupied the top two spots and will now make the trip to Lake Panorama this week.

Red Oak’s top golfer for the meet was Nick Carlson, who shot an 82, three shots back of Baldwin and fourth place. Ryan Plambeck shot an 84 and was two strokes behind Carlson.

Nolan Black had a 93, while Gabe Nelson shot a 99.

Connor Johnson had a 101 for the round, while Ethan Hewett shot a 121.

Nobody from Southwest Valley was within five strokes of Baldwin.

Ryan Carlson shot an 88 to finish second for the Timberwolves. Lane Peterson recorded a 97, while Scott Vanderhoof finished with a 98.

Drey Barton had a 115, while William Roberts finished with a 121.

The 2A district meet at Lake Panorama will kick off Friday at 10 a.m.

Griswold sectional

Both Griswold and East Mills advanced to the 1A district meet, which will be held this Friday in Anita at Crestwood Hills Golf Course.

Griswold was second with a score of 337, while East Mills finished third with a 352.

James Reynolds of Griswold was the medalist for the meet as he shot a 76 during sectionals last Friday at the Griswold Golf Course.