CL boys golf team still in hunt for NCC title

WC 155, CL 156, C-G 171

Clear Lake’s Dane Waldron earned medalist honors in a North Central Conference triangular played Tuesday, April 22, at Veterans Memorial, however Webster City edged the Lions by a stroke for the win.

“Usually when you shoot 156 as a team, that’s usually a nice win, but with the conference being loaded with a lot of good teams-- and Webster City is one of them, it wasn’t quite good enough,” said Coach Bart Smith.  

Webster City posted a 155 and Clarion-Goldfield was a distant third with 171.

Waldron shot an even-par 36 to lead the Lions.  Jon Crew came in with a 39, Kyle Calaguas shot 40 and Austin Rurup tallied a 41.  Other non-counting scores came from Tanner Storbeck, with a 42, and Thomas Storbeck, 45.

Clear Lake’s junior varsity golfers were led by Anthony Piscopo with a 47.  Austin Pitkin carded a 52, Braydon Emmerson had a round of 57, and Evan Applegate fired a 59.  Rowdy Yates scored a 60 and Noah Taylor had a 65.

CL 157, Humboldt 173, Newman 185

The Lions were 16-strokes better than NCC rival Humboldt in a meet played Friday, April 25 at Veterans Memorial.  Newman Catholic also took part, finishing with a 185.

“This was the win we needed to get back in the hunt for the conference title,” said Coach Smith.  “I thought our guys have responded well after the Spencer tourney.  We need to continue improving finishing our rounds.”

The coach called Lions’ medalist Dane Waldron “steady” with his 37.  “He is a golfer that can be in the 30s all year.  Austin Rurup also had a good start to his round and finished with a 38.”  The Lions were the only team to have golfers with scores in the 30s.

Other counting scores for Clear Lake were provided by Thomas Storbeck with 40 and Kyle Calaguas with 42.  Also playing varsity was Jon Carew (43) and Tanner Storbeck (48).

Clear Lake’s junior varsity was led by Anthony Piscapo with an impressive 38, however the Humboldt JV topped the Lions, 184-214.

Spencer Tournament

North Central Conference teams dominated at the Spencer Tournament played April 21.  Humboldt topped the 14-team field at 326.  Webster City was runner-up with 329 and Clear Lake finished third with 332.  Garrigan also finished among the top teams with a score of 334, good for fifth.

Coach Bart Smith noted the Lions performed seven strokes better in the 18-hole tournament than they did at Decorah and was pleased to have Dane Waldron, runner-up at State last year, back in the line-up.  “A stiff breeze throughout the day made the course and tournament really tough,” said Smith.  “There was a lot  of 3A talent from all over the state there and it was nice to see us be in the top three.”

Waldron and teammate Jon Carew finished tied for ninth overall with 81s.  Tanner Storbeck was just three strokes back with an 84 and Thomas Stobeck carded an 86.  Austin Rurup and Kyle Calaguas had rounds of 87 and 88 respectively.

“Our leaders made their presence in this tournament, with Dane and Jon having a good showing.  Our short game and putting seems to be things to improve on.”