South Tama’s Van Dyk defends golf title

Conceive. Believe. Achieve.

South Tama's Paige Van Dyk set her sights on a state golf title and brought home gold last season.

Now she wants a repeat performance. Van Dyk will attempt to defend her championship at the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union Class 3A state golf meet Monday and Tuesday at Ames Golf and Country Club.

She will compete in her third state tournament, enjoying the fact she made the field as a sophomore.

'Last year, I knew I could win it and that's what I wanted to do,” Van Dyk said. 'This year is the same. I know I could win it, so that's what I'm going to try to do.”

The Trojans' senior said there is a little pressure to repeat. People have nonchalantly mentioned her repeat, but she reminds them it is not an easy feat. She has worked hard from last year to improve her game, playing in a lot of summer tournaments. Van Dyk has given her short game a lot of attention.

'I've been working on my 100 (yards) and in shots,” said Van Dyk, who will play at UNI with older sister, Taylor. 'I feel like that will help me more because I'm more consistent at where I hit them instead of hitting to the middle of the green. I can get more birdies that way.”

Van Dyk has another aide to her game, and it comes from the person, who first put a club in her hand at the age of 4. Her dad, Randy Van Dyk, has taught her a lot and is there for emotional support and advice. He attends her meets and provides comfort, especially in stressful moments.

'He always calms me down when I'm starting to freak out and get mad at myself. It helps out a lot.”

Van Dyk realizes it is her final prep competition and she plans to have fun as well. Another crown will add to that fun.

'I think it'd be amazing because of all the hard work I've put in this year,” Van Dyk said. 'It's good to get second or third, but winning means a lot to me.”

Cedar Rapids Washington's M.J. Kamin will be looking for her first state title, competing in the 5A state meet at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. Kamin has consistently been ahead of the competition and could peak at the right time.

'She's been really rock steady all year,” Washington Coach Dennis Goettel said. 'Her iron game is really strong. I think she is really ready to give it a good shot.”

Kamin is making her third state appearance, finishing sixth last season. She tied for 12th as a sophomore. Goettel said he felt Kamin could have closed on leaders if weather hadn't canceled the final round a year ago.

'I think she is looking forward to the opportunity,” Goettel said. 'She has since last year.”

Kamin was co-winner of the school's top female athlete award this season. She has excelled in multiple sports, but her legacy could be determined with this week's finish. Goettel said she is a special all-around athlete.

'There have been very few female athletes, who have lettered in four sports,” said Goettel, who used to serve as the Warriors athletics director. 'The thing that doesn't get much press is she has tremendous academics … to be able to manage all of that and do it all so well is her legacy.”

Linn-Mar and Iowa City West earned their way to the 5A field. The Lions claimed the regional title at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls, while the Women of Troy qualified with a runner-up finish at Palmer Hills Golf Course in Bettendorf.

West is making its first appearance as a team, despite numerous individual qualifiers, according to West Coach Mary Goodfellow. It is Linn-Mar first state golf appearance since 2011.

Cedar Rapids Xavier returns to the 4A state meet, coming off a regional team title at Waverly-Shell Rock last week. The Saints were runners-up last season to Charles City. They have been focused all season for this chance at Ames Golf and Country Club.

'It's been one of our goals to take it all,” Xavier senior Grace Winker said after the regional title. 'We came up short last year, so that was one of our main goals coming into the season.”

Xavier has been led by seniors Maddie Bertsch, Winker and Kara Zwanziger. Bertsch was seventh last season, while Winker tied for 20th. All have been key contributors to the program's success the last four years, and look to add a state title.

'The three seniors really have vested interest to get that state title,” said Xavier Coach Julie Kadlec, noting they are naturally competitive. 'They have really strove to get that this year.”

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