Storm's Godfrey fares well at state

Creek Valley sophomore Brett Godfrey, who qualified to play in the Class D NSAA Boys State Golf Championships as an individual, played some of his best golf of the season despite a troubled final nine holes.

Godfrey finished with a 180 total after rounds of 86 and 94 over the 6,518-yard par 71 Meadowlark Hills Golf Course in Kearney. That was good enough for a tie for 37th among the 96 golfers entered.

Godfrey opened his tournament on Wednesday with an 86 in which he completed his nines in 42-44. On Thursday, he went out in 42 and came back in 52.

“He played so well for most of the tournament it was really fun to watch,” said Storm head coach Cyd Hanson. “I was really proud of the way he played. I think over the back nine on Thursday he was just wearing down mentally a little bit.”

Despite the nerves that come with teeing off in a state tournament, Godfrey opened up the championship with three straight pars. Though a string of bogies opened his back nine, Godfrey stayed away from big numbers which allowed him to finish with a 44.

“It’s a narrow course in many places and Brett did a good job of staying out of trouble,” Hanson said. “He was very solid around the greens and that’s something we’ve talked about improving.”

Godfrey was again sharp to open round 2. He shot his second straight 42 with pars at holes 2, 4, 5 and 9. On his back nine, his troubles began with a double bogey on the par-5 12th where he scored a double bogey.

“He had such a good attitude and his comment afterwards was, ‘I played better than last year,’” Hanson said. “It was nice to have his Austin (Rowley) and Lane (Godfrey) there for support. I know he appreciated that very much.”

Rowley, a sophomore, also had a strong season in which he played No. 2 most of the season for the Storm despite struggling at the district tournament. Lane Godfrey, an individual medalist last season and a three-time veteran of state golf, is Brett’s older brother who graduated in 2014.

The Storm will return their entire team for next season including Godfrey and Rowley. Also back will be Wyatt McMillen, Joe Van Winkle and Ben Cabela who played the majority of the varisty matches.

“I’m looking forward to next year after seeing so much progress this season,” Hanson said. “Austin was really chomping at the bit to play. I know he’ll be looking forward to try and qualify next year.”