Golf notes: Independence boys capture Wamac West title

Independence entered the season with loads of experience and a newcomer capable of making an immediate contribution.

Mustangs Coach Ryan Ruffcorn waited for it all to merge and that’s what propelled them to a fourth meet win.

“I was hoping that at some point we could put it all together and post four good scores,” Ruffcorn said. “We certainly did Monday. It felt great, to say the least.”

Independence posted a team score of 151 to win the Wamac Conference West Division boys’ golf meet Monday at Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg. Mustangs senior Caden Larson won a playoff over freshman teammate Ethan Cahalan for medalist honors, helping top runner-up Clear Creek Amana by six shots.

The Mustangs matched CCA for the top score in last year’s divisional. Ruffcorn expected a sub-160 was needed to win and that the Clippers and Williamsburg were more than capable. He wasn’t sure the last time Independence won the divisional outright, but it has been a long time.

“I just told the boys to think around the course and be patient,” Ruffcorn said. “They did that and didn’t put up any big numbers that has haunted us here and there.

“We’re very senior-laden, so these guys have a fair amount of experience. Ethan Cahalan is a freshman and a nice player.”

Larson and Cahalan each shot 1-over 36 for the nine-hole competition, tying Center Point-Urbana’s Christian Burkhart. Larson won on a second sudden-death playoff hole with Cahalan second and Burkhart third. Independence had three of the top-five finishers. Kellen Howard tied the Clippers’ Zach McCarty with a 37.

“Caden has played varsity since his freshman year and he gained a lot of experience that year,” Ruffcorn said about the Mustangs’ scoring leader. “Ethan is getting to that point with this weird, shortened spring we’ve had. He’s starting to mature on the golf course and keeping his emotions in check. I think the seniors all do that very well. Ethan is getting it, too.

“He’s starting to play better. I think his confidence is growing from that as well.”

Alek Gruber’s 42 capped the scoring for the Mustangs, who shot their nine-hole low Monday. They own a 177.91 combined adjusted average. The victory is a good springboard into a quickly approaching postseason.

“Hopefully, we continue to gain a little more confidence and see what happens,” Ruffcorn said. “It’s not going to be easy next week. There are some good teams in the Wamac and at our sectional. We need to keep building on Monday.

“If we do, and believe, I think we can be very competitive.”

Solon won the East Division with 152, while Dyersville Beckman was second with 155 at Gardner Golf Course. The Spartans were led by medalist Isaiah Zoske, who shot 2-under 34 and carded birdies on the Nos. 3 and 5 holes. Beckman’s Nate Offerman was runner-up, posting an even-par 36.

IGHSAU releases regional assignments

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released regional assignments Tuesday. Cedar Rapids/Marion Metro teams will hit the road for the postseason. Regionals for Class 1A and 2A begin with the first round May 13. State qualifiers for all classes are set for May 18.

Most of the Class 4A area teams will compete in a regional at Irv Warren Golf Course in Waterloo. Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Washington, Iowa City Liberty, Iowa City West and Western Dubuque will join Cedar Falls, Dubuque Hempstead, Waterloo East and host Waterloo West.

Cedar Rapids Prairie, Linn-Mar and Iowa City High travel to Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. The field includes Council Bluffs Lincoln, Council Bluffs Jefferson, Des Moines East, Marshalltown, Urbandale and West Des Moines Dowling.

In 3A, Cedar Rapids Xavier and Marion are in the regional hosted by Clear Creek Amana at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana, Maquoketa, Solon and South Tama are among the area programs in the 12-team field.

Iowa City Regina will compete in a 1A regional hosted by Springville at Meadowview Golf and Country Club. Alburnett, Cedar Valley Christian, Central City, East Buchanan, English Valleys, Iowa Valley and North Linn will join the Regals and Orioles.

West Branch earns River Valley 3-peat

West Branch’s boys’ golf team won its third straight River Valley Conference team title Tuesday at Muscatine Municipal Golf Course. The Bears fired a total of 310, beating runner-up Tipton by 27 strokes.

West Branch dominated the top individual spots. Dylan Countryman claimed medalist honors with a 3-over 75. Brady Knoop was second at 76 and Will Bridges shot 77 for third. Logan Highly rounded out the team score with 82, giving the Bears four in the top seven.