Raiders third in season-opening Invite

As a freshman, Scottsbluff’s Andrew Hollaway emerged as medalist in the 2010 Class B state golf finals, then tied for seventh as a sophomore and was third last spring.

Wednesday, the Bearcats’ senior got off to hot start at cool, windy Hillside Golf Course, winning medalist honors and leading his team to the Sidney High School Invitational championship.

Hollaway fired a 35 on the front nine, as did teammate Michael Hadden, which was good for a two-shot lead at the turn against SHS senior Taylor Barton. Hollaway made that lead stand up, finishing at 35-39—74, two strokes better than Barton.

Scottsbluff (314 strokes) took the team title against runnerup Laramie (Wyo.), which finished second at 341, while Chuck Christensen’s host Red Raiders were two shots back (343) in third place on their opening day.

Sidney placed Barton and junior Brendon Brown (81) among the top 10 medalists, but all four of Scottsbluff’s scorers were in the top 10 — Koy Potthoff (77), Hadden (78) and Jonah Wright (85).

Others shooting for Sidney included Ryan Birner (88), Garrett Wamsely (98) and pusher Brett Westfall (107).

Sidney will take back to the links Tuesday at Mitchell.

Sidney Invitational

Team standing

Scottsbluff 314, Laramie 341, Sidney 343, Alliance 368, Chadron 377, Gering 390, Ogallala 404

Top 10 medalists

Andrew Hollaway, Scottsbluff 74, Taylor Barton, Sidney 76, Koy Potthoff, Scottsbluff 77, Michael Hadden, Scottsbluff 78, Robbie Harding, Laramie 78, Brendon Brown, Sidney 81, Jonah Wright, Scottsbluff 85, Nick Maser, Alliance 85, Dillion Arp, Laramie 87, Ryan Bellflower, Laramie 87

SIDNEY (343)

Taylor Barton 76, Brendon Brown 81, Ryan Birner 88, Garrett Wamsely 98.

Pusher: Brett Westfall 107