On a perfect night for Senior Golf Night, Akron-Westfield and South O’Brien faced off for a War Eagle Conference dual April 29 at Primghar Golf & Country Club. A-W took both duals, but not without a fight from the determined Wolverine squads. South O’Brien’s senior golfers (Ryan Fuller, Jace Kleinwolterink and Reese Lundquist) were recognized after the meet in front of a packed house.
The South O’Brien boys carded their best team score of the season (178), but the A-W boys played just four strokes better to pull out the win. “It was senior night for three of our guys, and we had a great fan base out on the course to support the team,” said Wolverine coach Kris Faust. “The boys were locked in and played like they wanted to win this one. We’re all a little disappointed that we came up short. However, it’s great to see our team score break into the 170s.” Jace Kleinwolterink tied for 2nd with a 42 but took the 3rd place medal after losing a handicap hole card playoff. Junior Alex Griebel took the 4th place medal with a 43. Ryan Fuller ended just one stroke out of the medals, placing 5th. Nathan Harms carded a 49 to round out the Wolverine team score. JV golfer freshman Jasper Johnson carded a personal best 57. “Our guys continue to show incredible resilience and determination,” said Faust following the meet. “We will need that going into our busy meet schedule next week.”
Team Scores: A-W 174, South O’Brien 178.
Medalist: Jackson Neubrand (A-W) 39, Runner up: Tatum Wilken (A-W) 42, 3rd: Jace Kleinwolterink (SO’) 42, 4th: Alex Griebel (SO’) 43.
Other SO’ Varsity Scores: Ryan Fuller, 44, 5th; Nathan Harms, 49, 9th; Hunter Lange, 55, 10th; Reese Lundquist, 59, 12th.
SO’ JV Score: Jasper Johnson, 57.
After the top four scores for each girls’ team were tallied, SO’ and A-W were tied at 197. The match was settled by going to the 5th golfer’s score of each team. Alli Swoyer’s 51 sealed the deal for the Westerners. However, South O’Brien earned three of the four medals. Freshman Cassidy Horstman carded a 41 to take medalist honors. “Horstman set herself apart from the rest of the competition tonight with her fierce competitiveness, winning by six strokes,” noted her coach. Peyton VanderHelm took runner-up with a 47. Junior Lindsey Einck and freshman Alli Griebel both finished at 48. Einck took the 3rd place medal after a handicap hole card playoff, and Griebel took 4th. Freshman Anna Griebel scored a 60 to set up the tie between the two teams. “We came up short tonight and learned a good lesson: making that one putt can change the outcome of a meet,” said Faust.
Team Scores: A-W 197 (won tiebreaker), South O’Brien 197.
Medalist: Cassidy Horstmann (SO’) 41, Runner-up: Peyton VanderHelm (A-W) 47, 3rd: Lindsey Einck (SO’) 48, 4th: Alli Griebel (SO’) 48.
Other SO’ scores: Anna Griebel 60, Addi Triplett 66, Addi Odenbrett 66.