Norman — Norman North coach Dennis Etter likes his team this season.
Tuesday, he got his first real look at just how good it can be.
The Timberwolves hosted the Timberwolves Invitational at OU’s Jimmie Austin Golf Club, and they came away with a third-place finish (313). North came in just behind defending-champion Edmond North (305) and defending-state-runner-up Jenks (310).
The field also included Norman High (347) and other state contenders Edmond Santa Fe (321), Edmond Memorial (327) and Putnam City North (335).
“This was a nice preview for state,” Etter said. “We had everyone here who could be playing for state, minus Stillwater. Honestly, we left shots out there. We can win it. We can take state this year, we just really have to keep our focus.”
Three T-Wolves finished the round under 80. Jett Johnson led the way with a 77. Matt Krutz and Bryce Barnard carded 78. Alex Newell finished at 80 and Drew Wright scored an 81.
“It’s a big advantage for our kids to play (at Jimmie Austin),” Etter said. “They play it all the time.”
It’s also the course the state tournament will be played on in May. So, it was advantage for the entire field to get out and play the course early in the season.
“It was great, and the course is just phenomenal,” NHS coach Bruce Renfroe said. “The guys at OU have done a great job. It’s a tough, tough course. We’ll have some work to do to get to the state tournament, but yeah, it could help.”
NHS finished tied for ninth at 347.
The Tigers were led by Dayton Phain’s 85. Brooks Cain scored an 86 and was followed by Kyle Raberding’s 87, Damien Kline’s 88 and Bobby Greeson’s 107.
“It was brutal conditions out there with the wind,” Renfroe said. “But that’s just an excuse. We didn’t play very well. Any course you know you can do better on and you do poorly, that should motivate you to get to work.”
The Tigers host the Tiger Trails Invitational Monday at The Trails Golf Club.
The T-Wolves head to Ardmore Friday and Saturday for the Ardmore Invitational.
