Clear Lake boys win 3A Sectional golf title

by Marianne Gasaway

Clear Lake captured the Class 3A Sectional golf title at Charles City Friday, May 10.  With a score of 326,  the Lions were nine strokes better than runner-up West Delaware, which finished with a 335.  Waverly-Shell Rock was third with 345.

The Lions’ Jack Barragy was runner-up medalist with an 18-hole score of (40-37) 77.  Brandon Larson, of West Delaware had the best round of the day with a 73.

“Cedar Ridge seems to be one of the toughest courses we see all year.  The scores proved it,” said Clear Lake Head Coach Eric Perry.  “Jack Barragy continues solid play.  He makes it pretty easy.  Jack looks at ease and his swing is picture perfect.”

Barragy had five birdie putts, eight par saves from the rough, hit 12 of 18 fairways and only had 26 putts.  

“Those numbers are outstanding.  He could have scored lower actually.  He finished his day with three straight bogies,” added Perry.

Tyler Eaton had a (40-41) 81 for the Lions.

“Tyler has shown his post-season game is coming along,” said the coach.  “Tyler continues to work on finding the fairways off the tee.  He is way above average by the green.  He had 28 putts and eight par saves. Tyler has played in big tournaments a lot, so he can be a big player going forward.”

Tate Storbeck was next for the Lions with a (43-40) 83.

“Tate also had 28 putts and six par saves.  Tate is a big tournament player, too.  I think we have an advantage with those guys that play big tournaments in the off season.  We have four of them,” said Perry.  “If we can get low scores from these three, we should be able to continue to the next level.”

The fourth counting score for the Lions, a (43-42) 85, was provided by Carter Backhaus.

“For us to compete for a championship, Carter Backhaus needs to heat back up.  Carter is capable of that,” said the coach.  “We will work with Carter this week on his putting and chipping.  Thirty-six putts and only four par saves tell us a lot.  We continue to work on things.  Each week something needs to change for everyone.  That is how golf goes, once one par of your game is going good, the other struggles.”

Also competing for the Lions at Sectionals was Eric Ritter with a (44-45) 89.

“Eric is the other golfer we need to finish at the top.  He has been working on his iron play and I can see much improvement.  Concentrating on course management this week.  Eric had some triple and double bogies that turn a decent round into a less that desirable round for him.”

Andrew Crane came in with a (49-52) 101.

“Andrew has played and

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worked hard all year.  He had a strong NCC tournament, so I thought he could take the next step,” said Perry.  “He fell into the “tough course” problem.  Andrew had trouble finding the fairway.  That puts you in a hole right away.  Andrew will show up at the right time.”

“It was nice to finish on top of a pretty good field.  West Delaware and Waverly have had a good season.  We will need to get through West Delaware on their home course next Friday,” added Perry.

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