Lions looking for a repeat

The Clear Lake boys golf team will battle to add another State championship to their school’s history this week in Fort Dodge.  The Lions, who were the Class 2A State champion last season, shot a 309 at Friday’s Regional meet at Pin Oak Golf Club in Manchester to advance to the Class 3A championship this season.  Defending Class 3A champion Central DeWitt edged the Lions at the regional meet with a score of 306.

Clear Lake has qualified 15 out of the last 18 years for the State tournament.

“We had DeWitt on the ropes, until their number two golfer shot 69, the lowest we’ve seen this year,” said Clear Lake Coach Eric Perry.  “We’ve come a long way.  On April 15 we shot 386 in our first tournament of the year.  Today we shot 77 strokes less.”

The Lions were led by Tate Storbeck with a score of 75.  Storbeck tied for third in the individual standings.

“Tate settled down and played like where he left off last year.  Tate birdied the first hole and played smart with all pars and four bogies the rest of the way,” explained Perry.

Next was Carter Backhaus, who Perry called “the story of the day.”  Backhaus shot a career best of 76 and

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finished in a tie for fifth overall.  He had four birdies, which was the highest number in the tournament.

“Carter has been hitting the ball great all year, but it was his chipping and putting that perfected his score.  Our team kept telling him he was capable, I even told him he was shooting in the 70s today, which was a career best.  The entire team helped Carter all year.  Coach Oimoen worked especially hard with him this last week,” said Perry.

Tyler Eaton and Jackson Hamlin each shot 79 for the Lions.

“Jackson and Tyler played similar rounds.  They are the best scramblers on the team.  Their rounds don’t look pretty, but the scorecard is full of pars.  They can get out of trouble fast,” said the coach.

Also competing for the lions was Jack Barragy, who carded an 83, and Eric Ritter, with a 95.

“Jack turned his scoring around on the back nine,” explained Perry.  “Jack has struggled out of the gates in the start, but comes on strong towards the end.  We would have advanced even if we needed to use Jack’s score.  The fifth score is the state tie-breaker.  We would win most meets with that score.

Eric played our sixth position today.  Eric also played better the last part of the day.  Eric can really strike the ball well.  His scoring will come as he matures on the course.  I look forward to seeing him improve.”

The Lions will tee off at 10:30 on Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday in Fort Dodge.  They enter the State tournament with a record of 29-11.

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