Kennedy golfer Reid Hall continues competitive summer with Rotary Pribyl title

CEDAR RAPIDS — Reid Hall hasn’t been idle during the summer.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s state champion golfer has honed his craft against some of the best players in the area and beyond.

“A lot of learning experience,” Hall said about competing in events from northeast Cedar Rapids to West Des Moines to Frisco, Texas.

Hall’s latest triumph concluded at the familiar course where he won a high school championship in the fall. He carded a 1-over 71 at Elmcrest Country Club in the final round of the Rotary Pribyl Junior Golf Classic, claiming the boys’ open division title Thursday. Hall finished with a four-round total of 285 and seven strokes ahead of Cedar Rapids Prairie’s runner-up Tanner Wachtl.

“It feels great, especially after last year’s struggles,” said Hall, who lost a six-shot lead going into the 16th hole before tying for third in last year’s Pribyl. “Having a six-shot lead, going into No. 16 and losing, it feels good to close one out.

“I remember. It’s motivation.”

Hall played in the PGA High School Golf National Invitational July 17-19 at The Tribute Golf Links in Frisco, Texas. He competed against more than 300 golfers from the Classes of 2023 to 2027, representing 40 states, Guam and the District of Columbia. Hall said he placed 24th and received a good gauge against talented competition.

“It was awesome,” Hall said. “There were a lot of good players. It was a really good experience.

“It was definitely a confidence booster. I was right with the best players in the country.”

The strong summer play continued, tying for 15th in the 121st Iowa Amateur Championship at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. Hall was the top high school finisher in the tournament.

“I had a really good score there and played well at the Iowa Am,” Hall said. “Just keeping that going into this week.”

Hall was impressive, opening 1-over 73 at Gardner and shooting under par the next two rounds. He posted a 2-under 70 at Cedar Rapids Country Club and 1-under 71 at Hunters Ridge. Hall jumped to a fast start, recording birdies on his first two holes, No. 5 and No. 7 for a 3-under 32 at the turn. He coasted and shot 39 on the back.

“I took advantage of the easy holes on the front nine,” Hall said. “I had a good front nine but struggled a lot on the back.”

Hall has focused on specific parts of his game. He attempted to hit the ball farther, giving him more manageable approach shots and makeable putts. It has paid dividends in his live rounds.

“I’ve gained a lot of distance this last year,” Hall said. “It’s helped a lot, getting closer on par-4s and having wedges in a lot.”

The high school season begins next week. The senior Cougar will try to defend his Class 4A state crown that he won at Elmcrest. The goal is to play better than he did a year ago.

“I’d love to win another state title,” Hall said. “I want to have a better stroke average than last year.

“Just play good golf and keep it going.”

Morgan Rupp wins girls’ title

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In the girls’ open division, Linn-Mar state champion Morgan Rupp stormed back for her second straight Pribyl title. Rupp shot 72, giving her a three-round total of 224. She edged Cedar Rapids Washington’s Jane Petersen, who shot 78 and was runner-up by one stroke. They finished 1-2 at the Class 4A state meet in May.

“I went into this round with no expectations,” Rupp said. “I just wanted to try to shoot as good as I could. I tried to make as many birdies as I could and see what happens.”

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Rupp eclipsed a five-stroke deficit incurred after the second round at her home course Hunters Ridge. She went right to the practice green after reporting her Day 2 score Wednesday. The work made a difference in the last round.

“Yesterday, I missed a couple short putts that I really think killed my confidence. I wanted to go back and hammer away at those short putts to gain that confidence back so I could go into today and go over every putt and truly believe I was going to make it. I did feel like it helped. My putting today was a lot better than yesterday.”

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