Golf notes: Deep, experienced West Branch boys prepared for another postseason run

West Branch Coach Randy Sexton said the goal is to play the best competition at this point in the boys’ golf season.

The challenges help the Bears become battle-tested for the rapidly approaching championship season. The defending Class 2A champions know how to prepare for the “big push” that starts with the River Valley Conference tournament Tuesday in Muscatine.

“All things considered we’re pleased,” Sexton said about the Bears’ performance despite tough conditions so far this spring. “With the weather, they haven’t been able to work a lot on their craft. The boys need to keep grinding.”

West Branch has posted two straight wins, capturing the team title Tuesday at the West Liberty Invitational and posting a conference dual victory over Tipton. The Bears are unbeaten in duals and have won three invitational titles, placing third or better in each event.

The Bears edged Tipton by one stroke for their most-recent triumph, upending the Tigers for a second straight meet.

“We got off to a really slow start on the front nine,” Sexton said. “The thing that makes me the most proud about our kids is there is a lot of resiliency. Nobody gave up or put their heads down. They kept grinding and made a nice push on the back.”

West Branch is fueled by loads of experience from last year’s title team. A veteran group of upperclassmen is led by seniors Dylan Countryman, the 2019 state runner-up, Brady Knoop, Gage Gingerich and Logan Highly and junior Will Bridges, who placed sixth at state last season.

“This group of seniors have been through it before,” Sexton said. “They don’t particularly get rattled a whole lot. They understand there are going to be bad shots, bad holes and the best golfers are going to be the ones that let it go and get back to work.”

Countryman and Knoop lead the team with a 41.08 combined adjusted average. Bridges owns an average of 42.36, while Highly and Gingerich come in under 45. Bridges, Knoop and Countryman all average under 81 per 18 holes with all five shooting 88 or better. The depth has allowed multiple golfers to step in at the No. 6 spot, giving the team options for the postseason.

Balance is nothing new for the Bears, who had all six golfers score at the 2021 state meet without the top two counting on the last day.

“We really feel like any of our top five has the potential to medal any meet we play in,” Sexton said. “Our strength the last few years has been our depth.

“We feel real comfortable with all of them and feel all of them are capable of coming in with a low score to help the team out.”

Big expectations surround Morgan Rupp

Linn-Mar Coach Chris James heaped plenty of praise on freshman golfer Morgan Rupp. He recognizes the potential she possesses to be one of the area’s best players.

“She’s really good,” James said after her runner-up finish at the CRANDIC meet April 20 at Airport National. “She’s going to be as good as the Metro has seen.”

Rupp entered the Lions’ program with a long resume that includes Iowa PGA Player of the Year honors for her age group. She ranks third in the state with a 36.5 nine-hole average and is tied for third with a 75-stroke average over 18.

Rupp, whose dad, Brian, played for Cedar Rapids Regis and the University of Iowa, is 10th in 4A with a 41.0 combined adjusted average, trailing only Cedar Rapids Prairie junior Addie Berg (35.28) and Iowa City Liberty sophomore Isabella Petersen (39.0) in the Mississippi Valley Conference.

Don’t be fooled by her small stature. She comes to play each round.

“She has so much ability,” James said. “She’s quiet, but she’s very competitive.”

Conference slate begins Monday

Conference competition heats up Monday. The MVC will host the girls’ Super Meet Monday at Brown Deer Golf Course in Coralville.

Wamac boys’ and girls’ divisional meets will be held Monday as well. The Marion boys will host the Wamac East meet at Gardner Golf Course, while Vinton-Shellsburg will host the West meet at Wildcat Golf Course. South Tama will welcome the Wamac West girls’ field and the East division will be at Maquoketa Country Club.

Tri-Rivers Conference meets will be split between Three Elms Golf Course in Independence and Wapsie Oaks Country Club in Calamus.

The River Valley Conference girls’ meet is set for Wednesday at Timberline Golf Course in Peosta.

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