Even in less-than-ideal conditions, senior Brandon Thiel shaved four strokes off his previous score at Adams Pointe to lead the Owls. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

BLUE SPRINGS -- The first 18-hole event of the season for the Marshall boys' golf team didn't go as well as hoped Wednesday.

The Owls placed eighth among 11 teams in the Grain Valley Tournament, with a combined score of 369 -- 28 strokes higher than last year's fourth-place performance.

It was also Marshall's "first time playing the ball down," explained coach Erek Dusenberry, "and we did not handle these two conditions well."

Two of the three Owls who competed at Adams Pointe Golf Course in Blue Springs a year ago improved their scores.

Senior Brandon Thiel knocked four strokes off his previous total to finish tied for 26th with an 89 on the par-72 course.

Sophomore Brandon Hall, who shot a 106 in his tourney debut last year, came in with a 92 -- sharing 32nd place with, among others, senior teammate Cody Dusenberry.

Thiel came in with a six-over 42 on the last nine holes, while Hall's better score (45) was on the tougher front nine. Dusenberry parred the first two and last two holes, but had trouble in between.

Rounding out the scoring for Marshall was junior David Findlay with a 96. Senior Austin Lamparter carded a 107.

Warrensburg had all five players shoot 85 or better, led by Ryan Marks with a two-over 74 for the individual title, to beat Pleasant Hill for the team championship by a 316-324 margin.

The Owls will return to tournament play Monday at the Smith-Cotton Classic, but in between are scheduled for a home dual match Friday against Knob Noster.