Vikings capture first at Lake Central

Updated: May 21, 2011 10:03PM

ST. JOHN — Hard for a team to collectively will itself to a good score.

There are just too many variables in golf that have to be factored in — the weather, the course and the pace of play are just a few of those variables.

Valparaiso is trying to find that perfect number.

The Vikings shot a somewhat dissatisfying 314 Saturday in the Lake Central Invitational at Palmira Golf Course, giving them first place by eight strokes over Munster.

That’s a number that most teams would die for.

Not the Vikings. They want better.

It’s the job of Valparaiso coach Wayne Lichtenberger to manage those expectations and perhaps nudge them to where they want to go.

“The group is still a little frustrated,” Lichtenberger said. “They know they can play better. They know they can put a better number on the board. That is not a bad number. They have high expectations.”

The good news for the Vikings is that Bobby Jacobs is starting to go low.

Jacobs has struggled early this season — at least compared to last year.

His 76, though, was good enough for second place individually behind Crown Point’s Nick Grubnich, who shot a 74.

Thursday, in a dual meet against LaPorte, Jacobs came through big time, shooting a 2-under-34 on the front 9 at Forest Park.

Jacobs has sputtered with the putter a bit, according to Lichtenberger.

He finished the front nine with double bogey and a bogey. Lichtenberger said he was sitting on the ground looking distressed before he teed off on No. 10.

“You could just see it was like one of those, ‘Oh, know here we go again looks,’” Lichtenberger said.

But Jacobs rebounded with a 37 on the back nine.

“He did a nice job on the back,” Lichtenberger said.

For Grubnich, playing at Palmira was one happy memory. Last year, he had the round of the season in this tournament, shooting 68 on a rain-softened course. It was one of those rounds he was looking for all season after tinkering with his swing.

He hit the ball extremely well Saturday. Just couldn’t finish some of those putts. Grubnich finished with 34 putts for the round.

“I hit it really, really good,” he said. “I’m kind of frustrated with a 74. I hit every green on the back and like 15 overall.”

Grubnich played conservatively early with the wind kicking up a bit. But when it died down, he was firing at pins. He just couldn’t get any of those putts to drop.

He finished with two birdies. The first came off a 12-foot putt on No. 12 and the second was a 5-foot putt on No. 17.

He is happy with his game as he moves into sectionals.

“My game is feeling good,” he said. “My ball striking is good. My putting is usually the strongest part of my game so I’m not worried about that. It will come around.”

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