Vandal golfers set for SCC tourney

FILLMORE – The Vandalia golf team will compete in the South Central Conference Tournament on Monday at The Rail in Springfield. Vandalia has struggled of late, but coach Brandon Taylor said that due to so many good teams being in the conference, a top-three finish would be difficult even if the team was playing well. “I hope for the best, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we are on the outside looking in,” he said. Title contenders at the event are led by Greenville, which has four losses on the season, Carlinville, and Hillsboro. The Hilltoppers beat Vandalia on Monday, and the Vandals have yet to see Carlinville play, but Taylor said he has been told they are a solid group. Senior Blake Swofford will be a contender for the individual conference championship, which would be his second straight. He shot a 70 last season. “Individually, I would like to see him shoot around a 70, and I think he can win the conference,” Taylor said. “He plays much better in 18-hole events. “Sometimes, he may start slow, but with 18 holes, you have that extra time to make it up.” The event begins at 9 a.m. *** Swofford was the medalist at Deer Trail Golf Course on Tuesday, helping the Vandals to a second-place finish against Shelbyville and Taylorville. As a team, the Vandals shot a 164, falling two strokes behind Taylorville’s 162. The output was Vandalia’s lowest of the season by one stroke, and Swofford’s 33 was his second-best nine-hole round of the season. Senior Zach Jackson had one birdie to finish with a 41, and sophomore Zach Schaal (44) and senior Leyton Godoyo (46) rounded out the team scoring. Also playing were sophomore Jake Shulman (52) and senior Radley Wehrle (60). The Vandals are 7-14 on the season. *** On Monday, the Vandals made the short drive to Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore for a match against Marquette Catholic and Hillsboro. Vandalia placed third, with 186, while Marquette (157) and Hillsboro (173) took the top two spots. Marquette is 20-1 on the season, and Hillsboro is 15-7. The Vandals (6-13) were led by Swofford, who shot a 41, and Jackson, who shot a 45. Schaal and Bowen rounded out the team scoring, each shooting a 50. Shulman (52) and sophomore Adam Palmer (58) also played for the Vandals. *** The Vandalia golf team last Thursday had its best finish since Aug. 23, shooting a 165 as a team to place second at Rolling Hills Golf Course. Swofford’s 34 (-2) won the event by five strokes, and it was his first below-par effort for Vandalia (6-11) since Aug. 23, and his fourth individual victory of the season. Marquette Catholic (15-1) won the event, with a 158. Jackson shot a 40 (+4) to place third overall, and Schaal (43) and Shulman (48) rounded out the team scoring. Shulman’s round was his lowest of the season by four strokes, and Schaal’s was his season-best by one stroke. Godoyo (52) and Wehrle (58) also played for the Vandals, with Wehrle setting his season-low by three strokes. Other teams at the event were Southwestern (184) and Carrollton (192).

Sophomore Zach Schaal hits a drive at Indian Springs Golf Course on Monday.