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.

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the loss to Webster City with a solid outing at Spencer.  They finished second in the nine-team field.  Revenge was sweet, as they defeated sixth place Webster City by 10-strokes.

“One of our goals was beating Webster.  It just happened we beat everyone but Spirit Lake (ranked number in 3A).  We also beat Spencer (ranked third in 3A) on their home course and Carroll Kuemper (ranked fourth in 2A),” said Coach Perry.

Easton DeVries led the Lions with a great round of (40-41) 81, placing him fourth overall.  “He was getting ups and downs for par saves all day.  If Easton keeps his attitude and energy high, he can be one of the best scorers in the state,” said Perry.

Eric Ritter was close behind with a steady (41-41) 82 to place eighth overall.  Andrew Crane fired a (43-41) 84.  Gavin Anderson provided the final counting score, an 88.  Taylor Plagge and Josh Blaha got some experience on the challenging course, scoring 95 and 96.

“Gavin was the last to come in and put us over the top for the tournament runner up.  Gavin has been having trouble with his swing, but had the mental toughness to figure some things out to get around and score for his team.  This was a big team win,” added Perry.

CL 169, Humboldt 183, Algona 196

The Lions shot very well on what Coach Perry considers the toughest course in the NCC, the Algona Country Club. Clear Lake’s depth was evident in their 14 stroke win over Humboldt Friday, April 23.  Algona trailed the Lions by 30.

Despite bogeying three of the last four holes, Easton DeVries was medalist with a 39.  Andrew Crane and Gavin Anderson each scored 42 and Josh Blaha had a 46 for Clear Lake’s team score.  Tyler LeFevre posted a 55.  Eric Ritter was disqualified on the final hole.

“I think this is an example of how losing our season last year has compromised the maturity of our team,” said Coach Perry.  “But I am very proud of how we are improving.”

The Lion JV won a hard contest too. 

“On a course where the JV was having a hard time scoring, Taylor Plagge played a smart and varsity-caliber match.  Taylor is on that Varsity/JV teeter totter with LeFevre. That will be a battle to the end of the year.  One of those guys will need to step up to help our team,” said Perry.  Plagge scored a 46, Thomas Gansen 47 and Ty Fisher 53 for the Lions.

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