Golf postseason underway

 Treks to the state golf meets have started for prep golfers across the state. The boys opened their postseason last Friday with sectional meets and resume this Friday with districts. Girls began district play Monday for Class 1A, 2A and 3A with regionals for all four classes set for Monday, May 24.

In Class 3A, Brandon Davis paced Williamsburg in the sectional at Grinnell, earning medalist honors with a 74 and helping the Raiders advance to a regional at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. Anamosa's Nico Costa was third with 75, while Marion's Matt Schneiders and the Raiders' Brent Klosterboer finished in a three-way tie for fourth with 76. Williamsburg and Grinnell scored 309 and Marion, which also advanced. was third with 317.

Decorah was impressive in its 3A sectional at Charles City. Sophomore Nick Nelson (73) was the medalist and defending state champion Andrew Peter was fourth with a 77, powering the Vikings to a sectional championship, placing four shots better than runner-up Clear Lake.

"We continue to have balanced scoring to make our team very competitive," Decorah Coach Rich Gaard said in an email. "This has been (our) strength all season. Nick had an outstanding day and Andrew Peter, Sam Lewey, and Drew Olinger helped us stay low for our team score."

Decorah advances to face West Delaware and Western Dubuque at a Waverly Municipal Golf Course. The hawks and Bobcats finished first and second at a sectional at Manchester. West Delaware's Jared Zebuhr (78) was runner-up medalist and Western Dubuque's John McCoy (80) was third. Maquoketa's Tyler Hillebrand and Steven McGarvey of Union also shot 80 and placed in a tie for fourth.

In Class 2A, Solon and West Branch hogged the top spots of a sectional meet at Tipton. The teams advance to a district at Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine. Solon scored 30-8 with Dillon Baker claiming medalist honors with 73 and Bubba Carter third with 77. West Branch's Mitch Moon was runner-up at 76 and Rilen Carew was fourth with 78, helping the Bears to a 37. Mid-Prairie's Aaron Smit scored 79 to tie for fourth at a sectional hosted by Pella Christian. Smit also qualifies for the district in Muscatine.

Dyersville Beckman's Bennett Klostermann and the Blazers team advanced to a district meet at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo. Klostermann shot 79 to place fourth and the Blazers withe secon with 335, 26 shots back of champion Waterloo Columbus at a sectional in Cascade.

HLV is attempting to make its way back to the Class 1A state meet and the Warriors started their trek in strong fashion. Sheldon Gryp and Brenden Kuesel carded a 75 and 76, respectively, to claim the top two spots at a sectional in Keota. The Warriors won the team race, topping North Mahaska, 338-331.

Kyle Close of Lone Tree was the medalist and Iowa Mennonite's Aaron Warner placed fourth in a sectional at Wapello, advancing to the district meet at Iowa City's Pleasant Valley Golf Course which includes HLV, Lisbon and East Buchanan.

The Lions and Buccaneers were first and second at a sectional hosted by Wapsie Valley in Fairbank. Lisbon's Tyler Gunderson (72) was the medalist with teammate Matt Knake (79) placing third. East Buchanan's Curt Cooksley was fourth with an 80.

Valley Community, host Elkader Central and Turkey Valley all advanced out of sectional and will compete in a district at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls. Ryan Johnson, who was the medalist, and Levi Fink of Valley placed first and third, at 72 and 78, respectively, with Starmont's Hunter Voigts finishing second with a 77. Elkader Central's Nick Mueller was fourth with 78.