Snelling earns medalist honors in four meets

Clear Lake’s Emily Snelling, ranked number one (3A) by the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association, earned medalist honors in all four of the Lions’ outings last week.  The team continues to gain confidence and valuable experience as the post-season approaches.

New Hampton Tournament

On Saturday April 25, the Lions played their first 18-hole tournament at the New Hampton Golf and Country Club. The Lions’ Emily Snelling was medalist with a 71 and the team finished second.  New Hampton won the team title with a 371.  Clear Lake came in with 412, Sumner-Fredericksburg 416, and South Winn was fourth with 448.

Other Clear Lake scores were provided by Rebecca Long (108), Maddy Hartnett (111) and Jordyn Barragy (122). 

  “This was our first 18-hole tournament of the year, and for some of the girls it was their first 18 hole tournament ever. It was a good experience for them and it just shows that you can have a rough stretch of holes, but there are plenty more to make them back up,” said Coach Adam Brinkman.  “For Emily to shoot a one-under par 71 was awesome. She played extremely well and smart. The course isn’t a very long one, and she used her long distance to a big advantage.”

Waverly triangular

Monday April 27, the girls played at the Waverly Country Club.  Host Waverly-Shell Rock won with a 186, followed by Clear Lake with 190, and Waterloo East, 233.  Emily Snelling was medalist with a 37.

“This was our lowest nine-hole round for the year, so it gives the girls a big boost,” said Coach Brinkman.  “Some of the girls have lacked a little confidence to start the year, but each and every one of them shot their season low tonight and it shows they aren’t giving up.”

Other Lions contributing to the score included Maddy Hartnett with a 48. Rebecca Long carded a 52 and  Peyton Huey shot a career-best 53.

“Maddy was hitting the ball very well, and for her to shoot 48 with a few lost strokes around the greens was great for her,” added Brinkman.

Algona 205, CL 208, 

IF-A 237

The Lions played at Algona on Friday, May 1, at River Road Golf Course.  Algona shot 205 to win.  Clear Lake was next with 208 and Iowa Falls-Alden finished with a 237. Emily Snelling was medalist with a 40.

Maddy Hartnett (52), Rebecca Long (57) and Jordyn Barragy (59) figured in the scoring for the Lions. 

  “Overall, I was happy with how the girls handled themselves.  We didn’t get off to the greatest start, but we kept battling,” said Coach Adam Brinkman.  “Jordyn and Rebecca both played well, and had only a couple high numbers that we could have gained back. I remind the girls that if we have a bad hole to come back with a good one. We can’t have a bad shot or hole, and get upset about it.  We have to take one shot at a time. If we get rid of the high numbers and a few mental mistakes, our scores will continue to drop.”

Clarion tournament

On Saturday, May 2, the girls played at Clarmond Golf Course in Clarion for an 18-hole tournament. Clarion won on their home turf with a 370.  The Cowgirls were followed by Humboldt (387), Clear Lake (431), Algona (452), and Pocahantas Area (460). Emily Snelling’s round of 77 made her the medalist.

“Emily played extremely well, and I know she will tell you that she should have scored better, but to shoot 77 on a course you haven’t played before was great,” said Coach Adam Brinkman.

The next four Lions were bunched together, as Maddy Hartnett finished with 117, Carson Frahm 118, and Peyton Huey and Jordyn Barragy both shot 119.

“Clarmond Golf Course can be a tough course if you haven’t played it before,” said Brinkman.  “There are lot of blind shots and the greens are big and sloppy.  We struggled around the greens today, and for the most part this season our short game has been the strong suit for some for the girls, but we left a lot of putts out there today.  I know some of the girls were disappointed in how they played, but I just told them to think of that round as a practice round for regionals  (first round of regionals is at Clarion) and we will be more prepared for that next round of golf at Clarion. Carson has been struggling off the tee the last few rounds, but she was hitting the ball very well on Saturday.”