Five more wins for girls golf team

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake girls golf team went 5-1 this past week, winning conference matches against Webster City, Humboldt, and Algona.

CL 179, Webster City 216

On Tuesday, April 20, the Lions traveled to Webster City to play the Webster City Lynx. 

“This was a much different style of course than we have played all year,” said Coach Colby Andrews.  “The girls had to hit short of the greens and let the balls roll on. The greens were exceptionally fast, as well.”

Clear Lake shot 179, with Rebecca DeLong carding a 38, Meghan DeLong 44, Hannah Blaha 47 and Jaden Ainley 50. The DeLong sisters finished as first and second place medalists.

CL 183, Humboldt 196, Algona 229

On Friday the Lions took on Humboldt and Algona at Humboldt Country Club. According to Coach Andrews, none of his players had ever played at Humboldt previously.  The Varsity team shot a 183 to easily outdistance Humboldt (196) and Algona (229). Meghan and Rebecca DeLong once again tied for first place with 39s. Meghan ended up winning on a card back, leaving Rebecca with her first second-place finish of the year as an individual. 

The remainder of the Lions scoring included a 52 from Hannah Blaha and a 53 from Jaden Ainley. 

The JV team won the meet, as well, shooting 231.  Taryn Ristau was the JV medalist, carding a 56.

New Hampton 347, CL 369

Saturday the Lions played at the New Hampton Country Club. Clear lake took second place with a 369 behind New Hampton’s 347. It was the second time the Lions have fallen short against New Hampton this year and are the only losses on Clear Lake’s record so far this season.

Rebecca DeLong finished second as an individual with a  (42-37) 79. 

“She had a pretty lackluster front nine compared to how she has been playing this year, but she came back with a spectacular round on the back to shoot in the 70s,” said Coach Andrews.  “She has been playing stellar golf to start this season.” The scores for the rest of the team were: Meghan DeLong 81, Hannah Blaha 103, and Jaden Ainley 106. 

“The conditions weren’t great. It was pretty cold and windy for the first 12 holes before it started to warm up. I am pretty happy with how we played being that only one of the golfers on varsity has ever played this course before,” said the coach.  “We came close to my goal of having four scores under 100. This was our first 18-hole tournament test.  I look forward to trying to break the mark we set on Friday of shooting less than 170. In my years as the head coach, I have never had a team shoot under 170.  This team is more than capable of that, and I expect to break that mark this season.”