After recording three consecutive third-place finishes and turning in its best score of the season at the last Wolverine Conference Jamboree, Dowagiac golf coach Bob Turner was expecting big things from his squad Wednesday.

The Chieftains played host to the Wolverine Conference at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course, its first home match of the 2017 season.

Unfortunately for Dowagiac, things did not go as planned.

Sturgis won its sixth consecutive jamboree as the Trojans shot 186.

Three Rivers finished second with a 199, while Allegan was third with a 211.

Dowagiac finished a distant sixth-place with a 219.

“We shot 219,” Turner said. “It was a small step back from the run we had been on, but it is still a lot better than when the season started. I think a couple of the girls might have been pressing too much with it being our home course.

“They really wanted to do well. Golf is like that, just when you think you have it figured out it reminds you to stay focused.”

Dowagiac’s Rebecca Franklin and Greta Whitaker both finished inside the top 10 again Wednesday.

Franklin shot 43 to lead the Chieftains, while Whitaker finished with a 46.

“Rebecca and Greta have been playing great and the good part is they haven’t put it all together yet,” Turner said. “Greta played well. She is figuring out her game and gaining confidence as we go. She realizes she can compete with the top players in the conference and if there is one thing that Greta likes to do, it is compete. 

“It takes a little pressure off of the other girls when Greta and Rebecca shoot well.”

Dowagiac will step out of conference play Friday as it heads to Benton Harbor to play Michigan Lutheran at Blossom Trails.

The Wolverine Conference will host its seventh jamboree at Angel’s Crossing in Vicksburg on Sept. 27.