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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Linn-Mar golfers Morgan Rupp and Christian Cloyd win Rotary Pribyl titles
It’s the first time both open winners have been from the same high school
Aug. 8, 2024 7:39 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS — Morgan Rupp is concluding her summer competition, while Christian Cloyd transitions from summer tournaments to the varsity golf season.
The Linn-Mar duo shared on accomplishment Thursday.
Rupp and Cloyd both captured open division titles at the 2024 Rotary Pribyl Junior Golf Classic at Elmcrest Country Club. Rupp claimed her third straight girls’ open title and Cloyd won his first boys’ open title in his first appearance in the event since winning a novice title a few years ago.
“It’s been a great tournament to play in the past couple years,” said Rupp, who played the first year girls were added. “It’s awesome I got to finish out my last year with another win. I’ve just enjoyed playing in this tournament.”
“It means a ton to see the results finally playing off,” Cloyd said. “I haven’t had a great summer this year but it does feel great to see it all come together.”
Linn-Mar Coach Chris James will likely enjoy the news of a Lion sweep, the first time both open winners have been from the same high school.
“It is neat,” Rupp said. “It’s great our school was represented well. We both were able to pull it off.”
Rupp fired 75 in the third and final round at Elmcrest, giving her a total of 223. The Linn-Mar senior and two-time defending state champion topped runner-up Lily Belle Barker of Cedar Rapids Washington by 12. Rupp posted the best score each round, carding 74 at Cedar Rapids Country Club on Tuesday and at Hunters Ridge on Wednesday. She was the only one to break 40 on the back nine Thursday.
Rupp has played throughout Iowa and in Missouri this summer. She said she has experienced ups and downs, but this put a nice bow on the season.
“I’ve put up some really good scores that I’m proud of,” Rupp said. “This was a good way to finish up the summer because it’s kind of winding down.
“I like playing tournaments. It’s always the highlight of my year. I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s been fun.”
Cloyd’s championship came in a different way. He started the fourth and final round a couple strokes off the lead. Cloyd scorched the course and the field with a 4-under 66 for a 294 total, topping runner-up Jacob Schmit of Cedar Rapids Xavier by three.
Cloyd was powered by a hot start, opening with two straight birdies and four in the first five holes. He posted nothing but pars the rest of the way,
“I hit 17 out of 18 greens, so that really helps when you’re going low,” Cloyd said. “Normally, my rounds something doesn’t click, like maybe my driver is off or my irons are off. Today, I was putting myself in great spots and from there it was pretty easy.”
Cloyd placed 12th in the Class 4A state tournament as a sophomore. The boys’ varsity season begins next week with the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at Gardner Golf Course.
“It’s great to see where I compared to everyone else in the area,” Cloyd said. “I think it’s a big confidence boost into it.”
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
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