Iowa high school Class 4A boys’ golf 2025: Gazette-area golfers and teams to watch

Gazette-area golfers and teams to watch during the 2025 Class 4A Iowa high school boys’ golf season this fall.

GOLFERS TO WATCH

(In alphabetical order)

Christian Cloyd, sr., Linn-Mar, Two-time state participant, tied for eight at state last year and 12 th in 2023, first-team all-MVC Mississippi Division, first-team all-Metro, 2024 Pribyl Open champion, eighth in 4A with 36.75 combined adjusted average, averaged 72.22 per round and 37.25 per nine holes.

Max Faulkner, sr., Linn-Mar, First-team all-MVC Mississippi Division, second-team all-Metro, posted 38.65 CAA, averaged 37.25 per nine holes and 76.44 per 18 holes.

Leo Koester, sr., C.R. Kennedy, First-team all-MVC Mississippi Division, second-team all-Metro, recorded 39.41 CAA and averaged 37 per nine and 78 per 18 holes.

Pranay Monga, sr., C.R. Xavier, 2023 state tournament participant, first-team all-MVC Mississippi Division, first-team all-Metro, 38.03 CAA, averaged 37.0 and 75.0 for nine and 18 holes, respectively.

Logan Otting, jr., C.R. Xavier, Competed in 2023 state tournament, first and second team all-conference and all-Metro, posted 38.38 CAA and averaged 75.78 per 18 holes.

Jack Rogers, sr., Iowa City High, Tied for fourth at the 2023 Class 4A state meet, Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division Player of the Year, first-team all-district and first-team all-state, ranked ninth 36.8 CAA and averaged 72.88 per 18 holes.

Jacob Schmit, sr., C.R. Xavier, Two-time state participant, first-team all-MVC Mississippi Division, first-team all-Metro, averaged 75.33 per round, 37.75 per nine holes and had 38.31 CAA.

Henry Sobaski, jr., C.R. Prairie, Two-time state participant, first-team all-Metro, second-team all-MVC Mississippi, 2025 Pribyl Open runner-up, finished with 38.41 CAA and 74.67 18-hole average.

Bjorn White, sr., C.R. Washington, Eighth in 2025 Co-ed state meet, Averaged 81.6 per round with 41.36 CAA, honorable mention all-Metro.

TEAMS TO WATCH

(In alphabetical order)

C.R. PRAIRIE HAWKS

Name: Erik Columbus (23rd Year)

2024 Finish: Class 4A state qualifier, 20-20, finished fourth in MVC Valley

Returning starters: Henry Sobaski (jr.), Tony Boelter (sr.), Emmett Stockdale (sr.), Connor Keenan (sr.)

Other returning letterwinners: Connor Columbus (soph.), Jeter Lewis (jr.)

Outlook: The Hawks are coming off their fourth state tournament appearance and first since back-to-back trips in 2020 and 2021. They have their No. 1 golfer back in Sobaski, who will be a medal contender in most meets. Building depth and developing younger golfers will determine Prairie’s success this year.

Coach’s comment: “They worked extremely hard this summer, playing in pretty much every tournament they could enter. They lived at the golf course,” Columbus said. “Our depth and returning varsity leadership will be strengths this fall.”

C.R. XAVIER SAINTS

Name: Brandon Schiltz (3rd Year)

2024 Finish: 78-22, MVC Mississippi Division runner-up.

Returning starters: Pranay Monga (Sr.), Logan Otting (jr.), Jack Pauly (sr.), Jacob Schmit (sr.)

Other returning letterwinners: Mac Driscoll (sr.)

Outlook: The Saints return as much talent and are as deep as any team in the area. They are looking to get back to the state tournament after a one-year hiatus. Xavier also has some young players that can make an immediate impact.

Coach’s comment:“It's going to be a really fun year,” Schiltz said. “We've got a great group of young men going out this year that are going to be playing really well.”

IOWA CITY HIGH LITTLE HAWKS

Name: Derek Birt (3rd Year)

2024 Finish: 61-40, finished third in MVC Valley.

Returning starters: Jack Rogers (sr.), Henry Birt (jr.), William Feagler (soph.), Jack Fleming (soph.)

Other returning letterwinners: Del Brewer (jr.), Colin Riley (jr.)

Outlook: The Little Hawks boast one of the top golfers in Rogers, whose expected lead the way again. Birt is a strong second scorer. Team success could hinge on younger golfers rounding out the scores and solidifying the lineup. Some will have to get back in the swing of things after a state title run in baseball.

Coach’s comment:“I believe the favored teams in the Valley Division are (Dubuque) Wahlert and Prairie, and my surprise team is Waterloo West,” Birt said. “I think we’ll be in the running by our last divisional tournament as soon as my baseball players on the team find their golf mojo.”

LINN-MAR LIONS

Name: Chris James (8th Year)

2024 Finish: 73-28, MVC Mississippi Division champions.

Returning starters: Christian Cloyd (sr.), Max Faulkner (sr.), Kael Smith (sr.), Trevor Denny (sr.)

Other returning letterwinners: Parker Ridgway (sr.)

Outlook: The Lions return four of its top six players, including their top two scorers. Cloyd and Faulkner give Linn-Mar a good 1-2 punch but multiple players have the potential to shoot low. James always emphasizes growth throughout the season. Regular improvement and consistency are keys.

Coach’s comment:“We won the conference last year so you’d think that we’d be a huge favorite, bringing many guys back,” James said. “However, there are so many good golfers in our conference that it will be really tough.”

2025 FALL BOYS’ GOLF

KEY DATES

Aug. 14 – Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo.

Sept. 8 – CRANDIC golf meet at Airport National Golf Course.

Sept 15. – MVC divisional meets: Valley Division at Twin Pines Golf Course; Mississippi Division at Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg.

Sept. 16 – Cedar Rapids Washington Warrior Invitational at Cedar Rapids Country Club.

Sept. 29 – Final MVC divisional meets: Mississippi Division at Ellis Golf Course; Valley Division at Gardner Golf Course.

Oct. 6-7 – Class 4A Districts.

Oct. 13-14 – State tournament at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com