MONROE - Sophomore Nick Baumann, by his own admission, got off to a slow start, but he got on a roll and rattled off seven straight pars to shoot a 3-over-par 39 at the Monroe Country Club Monday.
With Baumann's performance, the Monroe boys golf team escaped Monona Grove edging the Silver Eagles by two strokes, 170-172. It marked the first Badger South Conference win for the Cheesemakers who improve to 1-2 in dual matches.
"It was good to get the first conference win," Baumann said. "We didn't play as well as we could have. It's kind of bittersweet."
The Cheesemakers and Silver Eagles played the back nine at the Monroe Country Club. Baumann bogeyed No. 10 and took a double bogey on No. 11. He rebounded with seven straight pars.
"I kind of had a rough start," Baumann said. "It could have been a lot worse. I just kind of worked through it."
Monroe junior Tanner Thompson shot a 7-over-par 43. Senior Matt Miller and sophomore Devon Boeck each carded a 44. Miller birdied No. 16 to finish strong for the Cheesemakers.
Monroe coach Braden Rindy was excited about the win, but wasn't satisfied by how the Cheesemakers shot as a team.
"It's nice to get our first conference win," Rindy said. "We will have to shoot a lot better than 170 to reach our goals. We won't win too many more matches with a 170."
Rindy said the Cheesemakers have been a better team in 18-hole tournaments so far compared to nine-hole dual matches because they have had a tendency to get off to slow starts and there is more time to rebound after a slow start in an 18-hole tournament.
"It seems lately our short game has really been hurting us," Rindy said.
Monroe will play at Stoughton today and will then have three straight practices before hosting Madison Edgewood May 11.
"It will be good to get back out there to practice to focus on our short game," Rindy said.
Baumann is confident the Cheesemakers can be a conference contender this season. With three dual matches left before the Badger Conference tournament at the House on the Rock Golf Course in Spring Green, the time to make a jump up in the conference is now. The conference standings is determined by the finish at the conference tournament and the number of dual match wins.
"We just need to avoid the big holes and bad starts," Baumann said. "That is what is holding us back right now, especially with just nine holes. I think we can beat Edgewood at home. If we can play like I know we can, we can win out."
With Baumann's performance, the Monroe boys golf team escaped Monona Grove edging the Silver Eagles by two strokes, 170-172. It marked the first Badger South Conference win for the Cheesemakers who improve to 1-2 in dual matches.
"It was good to get the first conference win," Baumann said. "We didn't play as well as we could have. It's kind of bittersweet."
The Cheesemakers and Silver Eagles played the back nine at the Monroe Country Club. Baumann bogeyed No. 10 and took a double bogey on No. 11. He rebounded with seven straight pars.
"I kind of had a rough start," Baumann said. "It could have been a lot worse. I just kind of worked through it."
Monroe junior Tanner Thompson shot a 7-over-par 43. Senior Matt Miller and sophomore Devon Boeck each carded a 44. Miller birdied No. 16 to finish strong for the Cheesemakers.
Monroe coach Braden Rindy was excited about the win, but wasn't satisfied by how the Cheesemakers shot as a team.
"It's nice to get our first conference win," Rindy said. "We will have to shoot a lot better than 170 to reach our goals. We won't win too many more matches with a 170."
Rindy said the Cheesemakers have been a better team in 18-hole tournaments so far compared to nine-hole dual matches because they have had a tendency to get off to slow starts and there is more time to rebound after a slow start in an 18-hole tournament.
"It seems lately our short game has really been hurting us," Rindy said.
Monroe will play at Stoughton today and will then have three straight practices before hosting Madison Edgewood May 11.
"It will be good to get back out there to practice to focus on our short game," Rindy said.
Baumann is confident the Cheesemakers can be a conference contender this season. With three dual matches left before the Badger Conference tournament at the House on the Rock Golf Course in Spring Green, the time to make a jump up in the conference is now. The conference standings is determined by the finish at the conference tournament and the number of dual match wins.
"We just need to avoid the big holes and bad starts," Baumann said. "That is what is holding us back right now, especially with just nine holes. I think we can beat Edgewood at home. If we can play like I know we can, we can win out."
