2015 Fall Golf: Players and Teams to Watch

TEAMS TO WATCH

C.R. Kennedy: The Cougars said goodbye to a loaded senior class that has continued the tradition. They also have a new head coach with Mike Green taking over for Mark Wilden, who resigned during the off-season. Kennedy has been in this spot before and reloaded. The Cougars have always had strong numbers and a very good feeder system. Whether or not they maintain the same level of success is worth watching as the season progresses.

C.R. Washington: The Warriors were impressive last year, claiming a Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division crown. They led the division in adjusted scoring average. The season concluded with a disappointing finish, falling short of the state tournament. They are determined to make the state meet this season. Co-head coach Chris James said the Warriors have at least seven golfers capable of scoring for the team, giving them depth to shuffle around their lineup.

C.R. Xavier: The Saints return plenty of talent and experience back from last season's team. Xavier entered the third and final round of divisional play tied with Washington, but missed another crown by three strokes. The Saints bring back first-team all-conference golfer Sam Martin. Matt Neumeyer, who was second at the 2015 Pribyl, and Mitch King finished on the second team. Martin and Luke Winker were second-team all-Metro, giving four scorers to go with depth to an improved squad.

Linn-Mar: The Lions reached the state tournament last season and return four of their six state competitors. Linn-Mar finished second in the MVC Valley division behind a Kennedy team that has been dominant over the last decade. With a big senior class, including Max Thrune and Jake Sevcik, who earned conference honors last season, Brent Larson, who tied Thrune for 31st at state and Jordan Bohanon, the Lions can build around a strong nucleus.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Frank Lindwall, C.R. Washington, jr., MVC Mississippi Division Athlete of the Year, first-team all-MVC and all-Metro, selected first-team all-state by Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association, tied for 10th at 2013 state meet, 2015 Pribyl champ.

Sam Martin, C.R. Xavier, jr., MVC Mississippi Division runner-up, first — team all-MVC Mississippi, second-team all-Metro, averaged 38 per nine holes.

J.D. Goodfellow, Iowa City West, first-team MVC Valley Division last year and second-team all-Mississippi Division as sophomore and freshman, best scoring returner in MVC Valley at 39.50 adjusted average

Matt Neumeyer, C.R. Xavier, soph., second-team all-MVC Mississippi, 2015 Pribyl runner-up, all-Metro honorable mention.

Max Thrune, Linn-Mar, sr., tied for 31st at 2014 4A state meet, second-team all-MVC Valley, all-Metro honorable mention, top Lion returner with 80.90 18-hole average.

Will Jackson, C.R. Washington, sr., first-team all-MVC Mississippi, all-Metro honorable mention, averaged 41 shots per nine and an 80.50 18-hole average.

Cooper Reittinger, C.R. Prairie, sr., honorable mention all-MVC Mississippi and all-Metro selection, second for the Hawks with a 42.01 adjusted average, including 38.5 nine-hole average.