Anderson claims SPASH Invite by a stroke

Rhinelander senior Nevaeh Anderson carded a birdie on the par-5 ninth hole and won the Stevens Point JV Invite by a single stroke Monday at Wisconsin River Golf Club.

Anderson finished with an 8-over round of 45 to lead the Rhinelander High School girls’ golf team, which shot 221 and tied for third in the eight-team event. 

“She birdied No. 9, that was pretty awesome. She definitely played well tonight,” Hodag coach Adam Schmidt said. “Nevaeh led us with a 45. That was nice. She had a one big-number hole. Other than that, she was playing bogey golf ... She was hitting the ball good, and she was putting OK.”

Anderson took advantage of the par 5s on Wisconsin River’s opening nine, playing the trio of holes in 1-under. She started with back-to-back pars on the first and second holes and closed with a birdie at the last. That was good enough to edge Ruby Thurs of Wausau East/West by a stroke for medalist honors. The only score higher than a 5 on Anderson’s card was a triple-bogey 7 on the par-4 fourth hole. 

Anderson’s round had the Hodags in contention down the stretch to win the team event. In the end, the Hodags finished four strokes behind Wausau East/West for the win and just a stroke behind D.C. Everest for the runner-up spot. Stevens Point tied Rhinelander for third.

Hodag senior Karlie Yunkers had her best round of the year, shooting 56 to finish 10th overall in the 37-player field. Her round included a pair of pars on the first and the ninth. 

“Karlie, she only had 19 putts, so she putted pretty well. She did a couple of one-putts, so that was good,” Schmidt noted. 

Claire Yunkers, Karlie’s twin sister, shot 59 and finished in a tie for 17th on the day. Ella Miljevich was 19th with a 61 and Hayley Schiek shot 64 to place 25th. 

“A lot of the stuff I watched like chipping and putting, we just got threw away some shots on short putts and stuff,” Schmidt said. “Other than that, like they played pretty good. They’re getting more competent in their playing and they’re getting more confident on the first couple of holes. As a team, all the girls aren’t as flustered as they were. We’re getting a little more experience under their belt. Every little bit of experience helps.”

The Hodags will be back in action this coming Monday in an invite hosted by Amherst at Glacier Woods Golf Course in Iola. Meanwhile, the team has added another event to its calendar. Rhinelander will travel to Trapp River G.C. in Wausau Thursday, Sept. 18 for a nine-hole JV match hosted by Wausau East/West. 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].