Golf notes: Cedar Rapids Kennedy continues strong play with Dragon Invitational title

Cedar Rapids Kennedy has posted a strong start to the golf season.

The Cougars have finished among the top of every tournament they have played, so far.

Kennedy took another step, winning Johnston’s Dragon Invitational on Wednesday at Jester Park Golf Course in Granger. The Cougars totaled 304, edging the host Dragons by one. Sophomore Reid Hall won medalist honors.

Kennedy Coach Mike Green said it is the first time the Cougars have won this event in his six seasons as head coach.

“It’s been nice,” Green said. “They have been really consistent.”

Kennedy won a tight competition. The top four teams were separated by a mere three strokes. Waukee finished with 306 and West Des Moines Dowling came in at 307.

Cedar Rapids Xavier was sixth and just 11 strokes back of the Cougars. Green said he has seen continued development that began a year ago.

“I think they have matured,” Green said. “They were mature last year. They have really grown a lot this year.”

Hall came in at 1-over 73, sitting in a three-way tie for first with Johnston’s Calen Bishop and West Des Moines Dowling’s Jackson Yurgae. Hall won the tiebreaker with the best score on the highest handicap hole.

He was one of three Cougars to finish in the top 10. Carter Vander Zee and Gannon Hall each shot 76 to sit in ninth and 10th place. A.J. Corkery rounded out Kennedy’s score with 79.

Kennedy’s balanced lineup included 80s from both Brady Shea and Brody Gilkison. The two scores that didn’t count would have been counted by 10 other teams and would have been the best score from four of the 12 in the field.

“For the most part, we haven’t had to count any higher than today,“ said Green, noting up to eight golfers have a chance to play varsity. ”They can all shoot a low score.

“I know if one of our top four has had a bad score, we can get a good score from Nos. 4, 5 and 6.”

Xavier was led by Charlie Allen and Garrett Nurre. Both fired 75 to place fifth and sixth. Ryan Schmit shot 82, while Quincey Johnson and Grant Allen had 83 apiece.

Postseason assignments released

The Iowa High School Athletic Association has released the Class 4A district assignments. Postseason play will begin Oct. 4 and conclude with the state meet Oct. 8-9 at Beaver Hills Country Club in Cedar Falls.

Western Dubuque will host a district on Oct. 4 at Thunder Hills Golf Club in Peosta. The 14-team field consists of Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Washington, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Dubuque Hempstead, Dubque Senior, Dubuque Wahlert, Iowa City High, Iowa City West, Marshalltown, Waterloo East, Waterloo West and the Bobcats.

Seven of the top 15 teams are in that grouping, competing for three team state berths.

“We have a tough district,” Kennedy Coach Mike Green said. “We received no favors this time.

“All we can do is play the best we can and then we can advance. I’m pretty confident.”

Cedar Rapids Prairie and Linn-Mar will play Oct. 5 in a qualifier at Burlington Golf Club. The host Greyhounds also welcome Bettendorf, Central DeWitt, Clinton, Davenport Assumption, Davenport public schools, Muscatine, North Scott, Ottumwa and Pleasant Valley.

“Anything can happen on that day,” Prairie Coach Erik Columbus said. “On paper, the Dubuque district looks pretty loaded ... it’s pretty much a super meet plus Marshalltown and minus Linn-Mar and us.”

Iowa City Liberty will compete in the district held at Veenker Golf Course in Ames on Oct. 5.