CL boys continue golf tradition

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake boys golf team is continuing the Lions’ tradition of excellence in 2021.  The Lions are currently 17-3 overall and 2-1 in the North Central Conference.  Clear Lake’s junior varsity team is 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the NCC.

Viking Invitational, Decorah

Decorah was scheduled to host an eight-team tournament, but all Minnesota schools are banned from out-of-state competitions this year due to COVID, leaving the Lions to compete in a triangular against Decorah and Crestwood on April 15. Clear Lake was the winner with a 329.  Decorah finished with a score of 373 and Cresco/Crestwood had 391.

The Lions’ Eric Ritter was medalist with a 78, while teammate Easton DeVries was runner up with a score of 80.  Both golfers had a lot of success on the back nine.  Andrew Crane was tied with them going into the back nine,  but dropped off the pace and had an 84.  Thomas Gansen provided the other counting score, an 87.  Josh Blaha and Gavin Anderson came in with rounds of 92 and 93 respectively.

The junior varsity was paced by freshmen Taylor Plagge and Tyler LeFevre with scores of 95 and 97.  

Dutch Masters, 

Pella Country Club

The Lions were leading the 10-team field going into the back nine at the Dutch Masters, played at Pella Friday, April 16.  However, a string of 40s helped Indianola and Waverley-Shell Rock pull ahead with scores of 334 and 337.  Clear Lake finished third with 344.  

“This tournament showed our inexperience,” said Coach Eric Perry.  “The proud characteristic I like about his group is they have the work ethic to get better.  Completing a tournament is something I know we will get better at.”

Gavin Anderson showed how to complete his round, according to the coach.  After a bad start, he was mentally strong enough to work through his mistakes and finished with a 92.  “As freshmen, this is what our program will produce and he will see success as he grows,” said Perry.  “Our team experienced how every stroke counts.  This will be crucial come tournament time.”

Eric Ritter led the Lions with an 81, followed by Easton DeVries with an 84.  Ritter’s score placed him in a tie for eighth overall.  Andrew Crane posted an 87, while Josh Blaha and Anderson finished with 92s.  Tyler LeFevre carded a 102.

The remainder of the field included: Oskaloosa (345), Pella (345), Grinnell (348), Nevada (348), Dallas Center grimes (353), Boone (364), Creston (404).

Webster City 173, CL 176

Poor putting doomed the Lions in their debut conference meet.  Webster City escaped with a three-stroke victory at Veteran’s Memorial on Tuesday, April 20.

“This was our first NCC meet of the year, and it hurt,” said Coach Perry.  “We had several guys around 20 putts during their round.  The weather was terrible, but both teams had to play in it.  As our home course, having that many putts is really disturbing.  Putting is on top of our practice plans.  Chipping is the next one.”

Clear Lake’s Andrew Crane was medalist and Eric Ritter was runner up.  Both shot 42s.  Tyler LeFevre had an energizing round and tied as Clear Lake’s third scorer with a 46.  Easton DeVries also carded a 46.  Josh Blaha and Gavin Anderson had rounds of 50 and 59 respectively.  

“This loss put our backs against the wall to win a Conference Dual Championship,” noted Perry.  Both varsity and JV lost close meets.  The Lynx topped the JV Lions, 197-220.  Taylor Plagge had the low score for the JV team at 50.  Ethan Gansen came in with a 56 and Ethan Zickefoose and Carson Kem each had rounds of 57.  Carter Perry and Billy Starbeck had 58s.

Spencer Invitational

The Lions responded to

from page 8

Carter Markwardt (CL) def. Brody Henderson, 6-3, 2-6, 10-8

Doubles

Gerhardt/Loge (CL) def. Moreira/Patterson, 6-3, 6-0

Kerr/Lollar (CL) def. Nelson/Black, 6-0, 6-4

Neuberger/Markwardt (CL) lost to Villa/Henderson, 6-2, 4-6, 5-10

JV Results

Branden Kuhlmeier won, 4-1

Trey Olthoff won, 4-3

Gavin Rich won, 4-3

E-LC 7, CL 2

Singles

Jaxson Gerhardt (CL) lost to Grant Love, 6-1, 6-1

Ben Loge (CL) lost to Aaron Nissen, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)

Justin Kerr (CL) lost to Brendan Finley, 6-0, 6-0

Nathan Lollar (CL) lost to Jack Jensen, 6-0, 7-6 (7-4

Cabot Neuberger (CL) lost to Joe Amadahl, 6-2, 6-0

Carter Markwardt (CL) def. Scott Wittiker, 6-1, 6-2

Doubles

Gerhardt/Loge lost to Love/Finley, 6-7(8-10), 6-3, 10-5

Kerr/Lollar (CL) lost to Nissen/Jensen, 6-0, 6-1

Neuberger/Markwardt (CL) won over Amadahl/Wittiker 6-2, 4-6, 11-9

JV Results

Branden Kuhlmeier/Trey Olthoff won, 10-7