Golf notes: Regina’s Mikey Takacs ‘rises to the occasion,’ Solon girls set school record

IOWA CITY — Iowa City Regina’s Mikey Takacs has been a regular at the state golf tournament.

The Regal senior tied for fifth last season and posted a top-18 finish in 2021. He has his sights set on getting back, doing even better personally, and bringing along some company.

“I wanted to go to state and win this year,” Takacs said. “Also, our team moved down to (Class) 1A this year and I think it would really cool if our team were able to make it, too. Not just me.”

Takacs has produced a strong start, especially in 18-hole competition, ranking among the state leaders in average, low score, and adjusted average. He leads 1A in all three categories for 18-hole rounds and is fourth in combined adjusted average.

“I’m happy with how I’ve played in the 18-hole tournaments,” said Takacs, who shot 72 for third in the Solon Invitational at Lake MacBride Golf Course. “Those are two pretty decent rounds.”

Takacs fired 73 for medalist honors in the West Liberty Invitational at West Liberty Country Club. The field included many of the River Valley Conference’s best players and some of the top teams and individuals in 1A and 2A. Regina Coach Jason Urdahl said Takacs has demonstrated a knack for playing to the level of rivals.

“He's definitely played the best when he's come up against the toughest competition,” Urdahl said. “That's some pretty good competition … He seemed to rise to the occasion when he's got good competition against him.”

Takacs is familiar with many of the individuals, playing against them for multiple seasons and during the summer tournaments. It has led to many battles. No one wants to concede, so it brings out the best in each other.

“I know some of the better players around and I think we can all say that we want to beat each other,” Takacs said. “Nobody wants to lose. It makes you focus a lot more. Every shot matters a lot more.”

Urdahl noted that Takacs has an advantage off the tee over most of his opponents. Due to the distance he gets with his driver, he has devoted time to his short game in hopes of setting up more birdies on par-4 holes.

“This year I’ve really been focusing on wedges inside 60 yards,” Takacs said. “I will hit my driver pretty well down the middle and I will have usually a 50- to 70-yard wedge shot in on par-4 (holes). Last year, I really didn’t hit the ball as close to the pin as I wanted to. I’ve been focusing on getting those distances right.”

Takacs plans to attend Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. He said he will major in sports and exercise health care. Takacs spent Thursday job shadowing with an ambulance service through Kirkwood Community College.

“More down the road I want to become a doctor,” Takacs said. “I’m definitely enjoying it right now. It’s fun to get into the medical field.”

Solon girls set school record

Solon’s girls’ golf team continued its impressive season with a team title at the Lady Spartan Invitational on Tuesday at Saddleback Ridge Golf Course. The Spartans fired a 341, tying Washington (Iowa) but winning the tiebreaker with the best fifth-player score.

Solon set a school record for 18-hole team score, breaking the mark of 348 set in 2006. Taylor Dee led the way with an 81 for runner-up medalist honors. Sydney Dee (84), Rylie Greazel (87) and Izzy Frees (89) rounded out the team score. Lilly Houtakker’s 91 was the decisive score for criteria.

Makenna Conrad won the meet and paced the Demons with a 79.

Linn-Mar runner-up at home

Linn-Mar earned a second-place finish at the Linn-Mar Invitational on Tuesday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course. Pleasant Valley won the team title with 334, coming in 12 shots ahead of the Lions.

Morgan Rupp powered the Lions with 77 to place third.

Linn-Mar Coach Chris James said the Lions fought through the round and they weren’t satisfied with their scores.

“I thought we were able to not let go of the rope, so to speak,” James said. “We had some adversity throughout the round, and I was proud with how they battled.”

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Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Addie Berg was the runner-up medalist, carding an even-par 72. Second-ranked Pleasant Valley’s Maura Peters fired 1-under 71 to win individual honors.

The field consisted of five of the top-nine teams, including No. 3 Cedar Rapids Xavier, No. 4 Linn-Mar and fifth-ranked Southeast Polk, which finished third at 350. Seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Washington placed seventh.

No. 14 West Des Moines Valley, No. 15 Cedar Falls, 16th-ranked Waukee Northwest, No. 18 Prairie, and Ankeny Centennial rounded out the top-20 programs in the 15-team field.

James recognizes the benefits of the deep and challenging field.

“For one, the added pressure in knowing you have to play well to stay in the mix is something you can’t really simulate,” James said. “As a competitor, you always like to see how your game stacks up against the best in the state. I love to see how our team responds in moments of added stress and pressure. It can give you some valuable experience in those situations, allowing you to be more comfortable in future high-stress times.”

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