Golf clubs stolen, but Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Reid Hall still is MVC Super Meet runner-up

MARION — Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Reid Hall played like he had nothing to lose.

Maybe it was because his golf clubs were stolen the morning of the season-opening competition.

“I went outside and was going to my car and saw it wasn’t there,” Hall said. “I was all dressed up, ready to go. Then, I had to go get my brother’s clubs from his work.”

Hall regrouped and still managed to shoot 1-over 73 for runner-up honors at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet on Thursday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course. Owen Sawyer was medalist, firing 7-under 65 and helping Cedar Falls to the team title.

Considering the situation, Hall was content with the first round of his junior campaign.

“I’ll take 73 to start the year,” Hall said. “It could have been better, but it happens.

“I’ve never played with his clubs before. Just go out there and have fun, I guess.”

Gannon Hall, a former Cougar who is now golfing for Kirkwood, offered his clubs. For weekend hackers, clubs are interchangeable without an impact on the average player. Most competitive golfers, however, have customized clubs that can affect swing and distance.

The younger Hall’s clubs are two degrees stronger, making for about one club difference in yardage. Hall overcame the challenge throughout most of the 6,527-yard course.

“That was kind of a struggle,” Hall said. “It was a guessing game all the way out. I got a few clubs dialed in that I hit all day.”

The MVC Valley Division Player of the Year was precise with his approach on the par-5 17th hole. Hall’s wedge shot from 130 yards out just missed the hole and came to a stop, setting up a short putt for his fourth and final birdie of the round.

“I hit a light pitching wedge,” Hall said. “It got pretty close. I think it lipped out. It was a pretty good shot.”

Putting and his work with a 3-iron were strengths. He demonstrated his resilience and mental toughness, handling the events that preceded the conference tournament.

“It gives you an idea of how focused he is with golf,” Kennedy Coach Mike Green said. “He wants to be really, really good. He’s already really good as it is. It shows you what he can do on the golf course.”

Sawyer was 3-under on the front and closed 4-under on the back. He birdied five straight holes, playing the ninth through 13th under par. The Tigers had all six golfers shoot 87 or better, posting a 305 total. Cedar Falls’ Jack Beecher was third with a 75.

Linn-Mar placed second with 315, one shot ahead of Cedar Rapids Prairie and two better than Cedar Rapids Xavier. Freshman Christian Cloyd led the Lions with 75. Caden Postma and Matthew Buse shot 77 apiece. Carter Bond added an 86.

“I’m happy with how we played today,” Linn-Mar Coach Chris James said. “Obviously, there are always things you can get better at. To have a freshman shoot 75 was pretty big time”

James said Cloyd holed in from about 90 yards out to eagle No. 6 and chipped in on another hole.

“He’s got a better short game,” James said of Cloyd. “He doesn’t hit it super far. The nice thing about that is he isn’t going to shoot really high numbers if he’s playing bad because he doesn’t get off line much.”

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