Linn-Mar gets into the swing of things

MARION - Linn-Mar is getting into the swing of things.

It took some time as the Lions transitioned from recreational play before school started to competing for lineup spots and conference honors as they prepared to start class.

'I think it has been a change,” Hoefle said. 'It's a matter of getting them comfortable with school going on and getting out to practice and to meets. We are working on that and trying to get them better.”

Linn-Mar seems to have settled into a routine, placing third at a 10-team tournament and winning a triangular on its home course over the last two weeks. The Lions play Dubuque Senior and Waterloo East Thursday at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo.

Waukee and West Des Moines Dowling were the only teams to shoot better than Linn-Mar at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.

'We played pretty well there,” Hoefle said. 'We started seeing a little turn in play.”

The varsity season is so brief that only small strides can be made. Hoefle emphasizes getting better throughout the two months of competition, but the spring and summer are important for improvement. He witnessed the Lions' hard work at the course in the off-season.

'We have some seniors who have really bought into that,” Hoefle said. 'We probably had five to six guys who were really diligent about practicing a lot during the summer.

'I have high hopes for how they will do. We are pretty senior-laden this year.”

The seniors have made a big impact with each serving a unique role. Jake Sevcik has the best swing. Brent Larson is a quiet leader, who knows the most about golf. Jordan Bohanon, a University of Iowa basketball commit, works hard on his game and is a naturally gifted athlete. Max Thrune, however, is the player everyone looks to for direction.

'That is why I would consider him our captain,” Hoefle said. 'In golf, you don't really need a captain so much as just good leadership. He does everything he is supposed to do. That is his biggest asset.”

Thrune has the team's best 18-hole round, carding a 73, with a 76.0 average through three rounds. Sevcik and Andrew Wood average 79, Larson is at 79.33 and Jack Recker adds an 80 average.

Hoefle has watched Thrune mature from a 5-foot-5, 100-pound freshman to a 6-2 athlete that alternates between 'happy go-lucky” teammate off the course to a strong competitor on it.

'He may not have the best swing, but he has worked at it the longest,” Hoefle said. 'He has really honed his style of play to be able to compete.

'I've been really fortunate to have kids like him in the program that make it fun to coach, continue to want to improve and are coachable. He represents that really well.”

JOHNSTON LEADS HAWKS

Cedar Rapids Prairie freshman Ian Johnston has quickly carved his place in the starting lineup for Hawks Coach Erik Columbus.

Johnston owns a 79.5 18-hole average with a low of 77 and carded a 41 in his only nine-hole round this season.

Columbus said Johnston has had success playing in golf tournaments across the country. He complimented Johnston's putter, short game and iron play. Columbus said he is willing to learn and works hard.

His mentality on the course is advanced for a freshman.

'He plays a lot ‘wiser' than his age, consistently making great course management decisions,” Columbus said in an email, 'and more importantly learning from incorrect decisions.”

CRANDIC MEET

The CRANDIC golf meet will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Gardner Golf Course in Marion.

Cedar Rapids Washington will host the eight-team event that includes Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Iowa City High, Iowa City West and Linn-Mar. The field has five of the state's top 17 Class 4A teams.

'It's going to be great competition,” Linn-Mar Coach Bill Hoefle said. 'There are some good teams in the Metro and Iowa City. We'll battle it out.”

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