Lions finish fourth at State Golf Tournament

The Clear Lake boys golf team made a run at a State title, even holding a two-stroke lead after day one, but the Lions had a tough day two and finished fourth in the Class 2A field at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.  Panorama, Panora outdistanced the field with 604.  St. Edmond was runner-up with 613 and Kemper Catholic, Carroll was third with 614.  The Lions finished with 618.

Thomas Storbeck and Kyle Calaguas, both juniors, led the Lions, placing eighth and 11th respectively.

The Lions posted a season low score on Friday and led the Class 2A pack with a score of 299.  Panora was two-strokes back at 301.  Kemper Catholic and St. Ed’s followed with 304 and 307.

“Day two was a struggle.  The weather was fine, the wind switched from the southwest.  It seemed to affect us more than the rest of the field.   Many things that happened day one, didn’t go the way we wanted on day two,” said Clear Lake Coach Eric Perry.  “Going into the tournament we were ranked fourth, so the finish was as expected.  We knew there were talented teams, but we also knew where we were at. We’ve improved all season.”

Storbeck got off to a good start, as one of two players finishing with a 71 on Friday.  He was four strokes off the lead at that point.  Calaguas had a 75 to be within the top 10.

“Thomas was disappointed, the putts were not falling.  As with golf, ball striking and scoring is not the same thing,” said Coach Eric Perry.  “It was usual with Thomas, he had some double bogies and some penalties which made his score rise on day two.  Kyle was in the same boat.  He was frustrated after day one on his play and day two for the same reason, putting.  Even knowing they could have played better, both were selected to the IAHSAA Second Team All-Tournament Team.”

Perry said the success of day one was made possible by the rest of the team.

Alex Snelling, a freshman, made great contact and scored well, finishing with a 76.   Freshman Tate Storbeck hit many fairways to put him in position with a 77 and  Evan Krause, a junior, played well all weekend, carding an 80 on Friday.  “We didn’t use his score on day one, but if we had to, we would still be in title contention.  That fifth score in golf is always very important.  Its like a safety blanket,” said Perry.  Jackson Hamlin’s sixth score was also a solid 84.  Hamlin is a sophomore.

“I wish we all could have used all six scores.  We would have blown the field away,” said Perry.

On day two, Storbeck and Calaguas each fired 78s.  Krause came in with an 80 and Snelling rounded out the team score with an 83.  Tate Storbeck and Hamlin had rounds of 86 and 88.

“I believe the key to our team’s success was the freshmen growing, our sophomore learning to play smart, and our transfer playing smart.  Our leaders stayed to the game plan and were the glue that held everything together,” said Perry.

The coach added his appreciation for his assistant coach, Mike Oimoen.

“He had a vital role in the development of our team.  His expertise, as well as the commitment it takes to improve, was key to our system.  The enjoyable part for me was watching him mature from a former stand out athlete I’ve coached in the past to a successful coach now.  Our program’s philosophy has not changed since his playing days at Clear Lake, so it was apparent we were on the same page,” said Perry.

“I admire our team’s drive to get better, our determination, and our character.  I can’t emphasize enough how driven we were to get better.  For a team to peak at the end of a season, really shows how far we’ve come.  Both Coach Oimoen and myself could not be more proud of any team.  They know it will take plenty of work in the off-season to get to the top.”