Central City relaxed, ready

Central City girls' golf coach Jon Byers admits to a few butterflies before competition.

It happened to him before his own tournaments and it occurs when his team hits the course. The Wildcats, however, are unfazed, which is a good thing.

Central City is coming off a conference championship and will try to repeat as regional champions at a Class 1A first-round regional meet Monday at Buffalo Creek Country Club in Winthrop.

'They just go play,” Byers said. 'They don't seem to get rattled. That's good.”

Good things happen when the Wildcats let loose and simply play. They rolled to the Tri-Rivers Conference team title, shooting 417 and winning by a whopping 42 strokes last Tuesday at Three Elms Golf Course in Independence.

According to Central City athletics director Matt Weis, it is believed to be the school's first conference title since the Wildcats' 1993 baseball championship.

'The margin of victory surprised me the most,” Byers said. 'It was a pleasant surprise. It was a nice thing to bring home.”

Central City, which ranks in the top-10 of 1A in all major team categories, was led by runner-up medalist Jessica Etten. She shot 86 and was one of three Wildcats in the top 10. Kailey Tyne was fourth with a 93 and Nicki Enabnit placed sixth. Ingrid Martinson rounded out the scorers.

Team scores consist of the top-four rounds. The Wildcats only have four players, so everyone has to contribute. The same will be expected Monday.

'Our four have to be ready to go,” Byers said. 'There is no room for error.”

The future looks bright since much of the experience returns next season. For now, the Wildcats will need to tame the field, including tough squads from Elkader Central, Starmont, Edgewood-Colesburg and host East Buchanan.

'All this is pretty new stuff for us,” Byers said. 'We did win the regional last year. I just hope we can play well.”

South Tama's Paige Van Dyk will begin her trek for a second straight 3A state title. She will head to a 3A regional at Indian Creek Country Club in Nevada.

Van Dyk has been the top golfer in 3A this season, leading the class with a 37.0 nine-hole average and 76.33 18-hole average. She also has the lowest nine-hole round, carding a 34 earlier this season.

The top two teams and top five finishers, including fifth-place ties, advance to next week's regional final. The state tournaments are set for June 2-3. The 5A state meet will be held at Marshalltown's Elmwood Country Club. The American Legion Golf Course, also in Marshalltown, will host the 1A and 2A state meets. State meets for 3A and 4A will be at Ames Golf and Country Club.

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