Iowa City West captures “Clash for the Club” traveling trophy

CORALVILLE – Iowa City public schools celebrate their rivalries.

They play for a variety of travelling trophies across multiple sports, including girls’ golf. Iowa City High, Iowa City Liberty and Iowa City West created the “Clash for the Club” meet five seasons ago with the winner possessing the mounted driver club head.

“It’s fun,” West Coach Mary Goodfellow said. “I’m glad we started this. We kind of worried about another 18-hole tournament because it’s a lot of school these kids miss, and there is so much going on right now with seniors.

“All three of us coaches are pretty close. We all cheer for each other, of course. It’s neat to see another competition.”

Liberty claimed the trophy for the first four years but that streak was snapped Monday. West scored 347 to win the Clash for the Club at Brown Deer Golf Club. West freshman Ainsley Wilson was medalist with 70, beating the field by a whopping 18 strokes.

West posted the best winning score in the event’s short history and was ready to provide a new home for the prize.

“The lowest score on this trophy is 390,” Goodfellow said. “They beat that quite a bit.”

West started the season strong, placing third or better in every meet. The Trojans have won three of their six competitions. They have made strides from last season, placing Lily Schmid, Lily Collier and Gretchen Van Iddekinge in the top six Monday.

Goodfellow said all of them work with PGA teaching pro Jeff Schmid and have delved into offseason competition.

“That’s from hard work in the summer, choosing to play in tournaments,” Goodfellow said. “A lot of them played in tournaments this last summer. You can’t tell them enough how much that helps to put them against competition. It’s different than playing with your dad or friends.”

Wilson has been a huge factor in their success. She leads the state with a 69.5 18-hole average and ranks second in the state with a 37.16 combined adjusted average. Wilson set a school record with 31 on the back nine at Brown Deer.

Goodfellow said Wilson has shot 34 or better for a nine-hole stretch five times this season. Even as a 15-year-old freshman, she has served as a good example for teammates.

“She does things that nobody knows,” Goodfellow said. “She practices in the morning. She practices in the evening. She does stuff on her own all the time. She just really loves the game and is lucky she has parents that really support her and that love and drive she has.”

West has a Mississippi Valley Conference quadrangular Thursday and the MVC Super Meet on Monday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls. The Trojans add to the deep and talented conference field of individuals and teams.

“The teams are so strong,” Goodfellow said. “Oh my God, we have good teams. It’s as deep as I ever remember.”

LINN-MAR’s RUPP, XAVIER WIN LINN-MAR INVITE

Two-time state champion Morgan Rupp defended her home course and tournament Tuesday. She shot 3-under 69 for medalist honors in the Linn-Mar Invitational at Hunters Ridge Golf Course. Rupp topped Cedar Falls’ runner-up Molly Ratchford by six strokes. It was Rupp’s third medalist performance this year.

Pleasant Valley captured the team title with 327, edging Cedar Rapids Xavier by one shot. The Saints were led by junior Mehar Julka, who finished third with 76. Freshman Hayley Morris tied for seventh with 80 for the Saints. Evelyn Bern and Carmen Hartgrave shot 83 and 89, respectively, to round out Xavier’s score. The Saints are now 30-3 this season.

SOLON GIRLS’ SET SCHOOL RECORD

Solon set a girls’ golf scoring record Tuesday. The Spartans recorded a 334 to win the Lady Spartan Golf Invite Tuesday at Saddleback Ridge Golf Course. Solon broke its old 18-hole record of 338 set last season.

Solon’s Sydney Dee led the way with 79, tying for third. Jaya Farlinger shot 84, while Macy Fuller shot 85. Izzy Frees added 86 for the Spartans, who beat runner-up Benton Community by 14.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com