CL girls tee off to a good start

The Clear Lake girls golf team has gotten off to a fast start.

On Monday, April 13, the Lions played at the Mason City Country Club against Mason City, Mason City-Newman and Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.   The Lions shot a team score of 212 to finish second overall.  Mason City won the meet with a 195.  

Clear Lake’s four counting scores were provided by Emily Snelling (37), Rebecca Long (55), Jordyn Barragy (59), and Maddy Hartnett (61).  Peyton Huey and Carson Frahm had rounds of 65 and 69 respectively.  Snelling finished as runner-up to medalist Sydney Eaton, from Mason City, who had a 36.

  “It was our first meet of the year, and for some of the girls was the first meet of their career. There was some strokes left out there, but this first meet was a huge learning experience for the girls, and we’re only going to get better,” said Coach Adam Brinkman.  “Emily played a smart, solid round of golf. She is really hitting the ball well, which is boosting her confidence.”

On Thursday, April 16, the Lions played at the New Hampton Country Club. The team scores were: New Hampton 187, Nashua-Plainfield 192, and Clear Lake 217. Snelling again led the way with a round of 41.  Maddy Hartnett and Rebecca Long each had 56, and Jordyn Barragy carded a 64.  Peyton Huey came into the clubhouse with a round of 67.  Carson Frahm didn’t finish her round due to injury.

“We didn’t play our best rounds of golf in New Hampton, but we took a lot of positives out of the evening,” said Coach Brinkman.  “We need to learn to play all nine holes with confidence. A couple girls had a couple bad holes and it just stuck with them the rest of the round. If we can fight through the bad holes, and come back with a good hole, our scores are going to start dropping.”

Snelling played with defending state champion Sarah McMichael, from Nashua-Plainfield. 

“It was good for Emily to compete against such a strong competitor this early in the season, it will give her a big boost as the season moves on,” said Brinkman.

  On Friday, April 17, Clear Lake hosted a meet against Humboldt, Clarion-Goldfield, and Emmetsburg.  Emmetsburg won the team title by tiebreaker over Clarion-Goldfield.  Each scored 178.  Humboldt was next with 188 and Clear Lake had 206.

Snelling was medalist with a 37. Maddy Hartnett and Rebecca Long had rounds of 53 and 54 respectively.  Peyton Huey carded a 62. Other Lion scores were Jordyn Barragy (63) and Carson Frahm (65).

“The 206 was our lowest scores of the year, each girl stuck it out all nine holes,” said Brinkman.  “Our team chemistry is there, and were only going to keep dropping our scores. Emily is playing solid golf, she made a few mistakes out there  and we discussed it right after her round.  It’s good to get the mistakes out now, so that we wont make them as a team when it gets closer to the post season.”