CL boys win golf triangular

The Clear Lake boys golf team learned some important lessons in its first week out on the course.  The Lions earned a win in a triangular meet using the fifth best score tiebreaker, and then took on some of north Iowa’s and southern Minnesota’s best teams at Decorah.

CL 165, B-G 165, GHV 183

“Not bad for the first time out,” said Coach Bart Smith after the Lions opened the season with a win over Bishop Garrigan and Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.  “The kids learned a valuable lesson early in the season on every stroke counts because we ended up tying Garrigan, so the tie breaker was fifth best score which allowed us to win by a stroke.”  

Tanner Storbeck’s round of 45 ended up being the deciding factor.  Both Clear Lake and Garrigan finished with a score of 165.

Thomas Storbeck led the Lions with a 39.  Austin Rurup followed with a 40 and Kyle Calaguas and Jon Carew each carded 43s.  Anthony Piscapo was the sixth varsity golfer with a 49.

Jess Marlow, of Bishop Garrigan, was the medalist with a score of 37; Storbeck was runner-up with his 39.

“They need to learn to get through a tough hole and keep grinding out the round,” said Smith.  “I thought Thomas played well for his first time out.  There might have been a little nerves to start the season for some of them, but all in all (it was) a nice win on the road.”

GHV carded a 183, paced by Jacob Heinemann’s 42.  Rounding out the score was Matt Schroeder with a 44, Mitch Lunning carded a 48 and Braden Johnston recorded a 49.  Ryan Grunwald and Cory Boeckman were the fifth and sixth golfers.  Both ended the meet with a 49.

“We had a chance to play against good competition, which makes for a good learning experience,” said GHV Coach Ken Krause.  “Jacob and Matt played well, but had a couple of bad holes.”

The junior varsity Lions were paced by Austin Pitkin with a 54.  Rowdy Yates came in with a 59, Noah Tylor had a 60 and Braydon Emmerson had a round of 63.  Also golfing was Isaac Niles with a 69 and Evan Applegate with a 72.

Decorah tournament

  Clear Lake finished fourth in a field of eight top north Iowa and southern Minnesota schools competing at Decorah Thursday, April 17.  Lakeville South was a seven-stroke winner over runner-up Decorah, 300-307.  Owatonna was third with 321 and Clear Lake was next with 339.  Winona (345), Rochester Mayo (353) and Cresco (354) rounded out the field.

Thomas Storbeck was the top finisher for the Lions.  He finished in a tie for eighth with a score of 79, seven strokes over par.

Noah Rasinski was medalist with a two-under 70.

“Our short game needs to be addressed as we go forward,” said Coach Bart Smith.  “We had too many double bogies on the round to try and compete at the top in this tournament.  Thomas was a positive for us on the day.  He continues to keep the ball in the fairway and is very consistent right now with his short game.”

Kyle Calaguas and Jon Carew tied for 22nd place with 86s.  Tanner Storbeck was close behind with an 88, good for 25th.  Anthony Piscopo finished in a tie for 28th with a 90, while Austin Rurup was 34th with a 91.

“They guys were disappointed in the standings knowing they didn’t play their best, but finishing fourth in a solid tournament like Decorah’s is good for us,” added Coach Smith.  “It’s not how you start it’s how you finish.”