Elements cooperate and provide opportunity to play

MARION - It was just good for golfers to get in the swing of things.Cedar Rapids Washington's M.J. Kamin and Cedar Rapids Xavier's Maddie Bertsch had swings a little better than most others.In their first 18-hole event, the pair of standout golfers tied for runner-up honors Wednesday in the Linn-Mar Invitational at Hunters Ridge Golf Course. Kamin and Bertsch fired an 83, finishing three shots back of Pleasant Valley's medalist Rachele Miller.Neither was satisfied with the first extended competition, but both accepted it as a decent performance on a day only five golfers broke 90."I'm not overly excited," said Bertsch, who was out with 41 and in at 42. "It was the first 18-hole event. I'm fine with it."Kamin was more accepting of the score after the round, shooting 39 on the front and 44 on the back."Now, I feel better," Kamin said before the awards ceremony. "When I'm out there, I feel I could do better."Bertsch carded two birdies on a pair of par-4 holes. She drained a 6-foot putt on No. 5 and a 5-footer on the 10th. Bertsch put herself in position to score low."I hit two great approach shots," Bertsch said. "I thought I putted pretty well."Bertsch led the Saints in birdies last year. She said the shorter 318-yard No. 10 played to her strengths. Xavier Coach Julie Kadlec said Bertsch has a mentality to take advantage of those chances."She's real aggressive," Kadlec said. "She's looking for those opportunities break par."Bertsch powered the Saints to a runner-up finish with 372. Grace Winker recorded a 90, tying for sixth. Hailey Sojka and Kara Zwanziger added 99 and 100 for Xavier.Kamin was powered by a strong early start, sitting at par through the first eight holes. She kicked off the round with a good drive and hit a positive approach, allowing her to get in a rhythm. A key was how she struck the ball and her putting on a day that had a bit of a breeze."I battled on a lot of holes," said Kamin, who was a state qualifier last season. "I put up a good score on a tough course on a tough day."Pleasant Valley took the team title with 349. Host Linn-Mar was 402 with Mid-Prairie 20 shots back in fourth. Washington rounded out the top-five with 431.The meet was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was postponed due to weather, which has been a regular occurence this spring. Golfers have had few outdoor practices and competitions, and those have been the nine-hole variety. The longer event can be hard, keeping concentration for twice as long while lugging a golf bag twice as long, especially playing Hunters Ridge's more than 5,000-yard course from the gold tees."It's another aspect," Bertsch said. "You have to build stamina. You have to get used to it."

LINN-MAR INVITATIONAL

At Marion

(Hunters Ridge Golf Course, par 72)

Teams - 1. Pleasant Valley 349, 2. C.R. Xavier 372, 3. Linn-Mar 402, 4. Mid-Prairie 422, 5. C.R. Washington 431, 6. C.R. Kennedy 438, 7. C.R. Prairie 446, 8. North Scott 469, 9. Clinton 482, 10. C.R. Jefferson 506, 11. Marion 516.

Individuals - 1. Rachele Miller (PV), 80, 2. (tie) Maddie Bertsch (CRX) and M.J. Kamin (CRW), 83, 4. Anna Cullinan (PV), 87, 5. Maddie Hurning (PV) 89.

C.R. Xavier (372): Bertsch 83, Grace Winker 90, Hailey Sojka 99, Kara Zwanziger 100.

Linn-Mar (402): Jordan Postma 90, Emma Lorenz 99, Kristen Eiles 104, Lauren Coughlin 109.

C.R. Washington (431): Kamin 83, Kandis O'Donnell 112, Brett Visser 113, Courtney Chadima 123.

C.R. Kennedy (438): Ali Lindo 92, Amanda Wiedemeier 111, Raemi Chavez 113, Morgan Schwab 122.

C.R. Prairie (446): Taylor Utter 106, Emily Machula 110, Emily Perrin 110, Jenna Niccolls 120.

C.R. Jefferson (506): Emily Aukes 107, Cassidy Simpson 130, Carly Beastrom 133, Lyndsey Lykkagaard 136.

Marion (516): Ash Ohl 107, Ashley Reed 122, Katie Connelley 135, Haley Shaffer 152.