Good times, good results for Mount Vernon golfers

Chemistry has provided a successful formula for the Mount Vernon boys' golf team.

The Mustangs' camaraderie produces more fun on the course and that can lead to better results.

Mount Vernon will look for a good time and some hardware in its second straight appearance at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A state meet Friday and Saturday at Spring Valley Golf Course in Livermore.

The Mustangs finished fourth last season and have a tight-knit squad led by sophomores Connor Herrmann and Tommy Hook and junior Andy DeCamp.

'They are good friends,” Mount Vernon Coach Mick Angel said. 'It's been a real plus for our team that there is good chemistry between those three and all the players on varsity.

'They enjoy it. That is fun to see and they just enjoy being out on the golf course.”

At the beginning of the season, Angel said Herrmann and DeCamp are competitive with each other, despite being good friends. DeCamp tied for 11th at state last year, while Herrmann was one stroke back, tying for 13th.

The duo, along with Hook, have served as leaders for the Mustang program almost from the beginning. Herrmann owns a 37.8 nine-hole average and ranks fifth in 2A for 18-hole scores. Herrmann has posted a 71 and 73 in his first two postseason meets.

'He's shooting real solid and if he can come in low that gives us a little bit of breathing room,” Angel said. 'He's been really solid. When we have that score to anchor us, it gives us a little more leeway.”

DeCamp averages 40,5 over nine holes and Hook comes in at 41 per nine. They provide a steady 1-2-3 punch capable of firing 75 during any round.

'They are good athletes,” said Angel, noting they also play football and basketball for Mount Vernon. 'They share that type of background.”

The current lineup doesn't contain a single senior, so the future looks even brighter. The Mustangs returned four golfers from last year's state squad and Herrmann, Hook and Jake Hansen were freshmen in that appearance. They should be more prepared and mature for the competition.

'It will be a big difference when they step on the course this year with another full year of experience, feeling more comfortable with the state tournament situation and course they are playing,” Angel said. 'It will be fun to see how they react.”

Individual qualifiers include Cascade's Michael Smith and South Winneshiek's Trevor Schweinefus, who tied for 17th as a junior last season.

The Mustangs aren't the only Highway 30 program competing in the boys' state golf meet. Lisbon qualified for the Class 1A tournament at Marshalltown's American Legion Golf Course with a runner-up district finish, six shots back of champion East Buchanan. The Lions were led by Nick Johnson, who shot 84 and is the lone senior in the starting lineup. Junior Zach Darst also shot 84 at the district meet.

In Class 3A, Williamsburg qualified for state meet for a fifth straight season. West Delaware is also on the field at Ames Golf and Country Club. Decorah's Sam Sacquitne qualified as an individual and will try to improve last year's finish when he tied for 12th.

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