Iowa high school boys’ spring golf 2023: Gazette area golfers and teams to watch

A list of Gazette area golfers and teams to watch for the 2023 Iowa high school boys’ golf spring season.

Boys’ golfers to watch

Will Bridges, West Branch sr. — Tied for 13th in 2022 Class 2A state meet, placed sixth in 2021, first-team all-River Valley Conference, averaged 79.0 per round with a 41.89 combined adjusted average.

Luke Harwick, Dyersville Beckman, jr. — Runner-up at 2A state meet last season, first-team all-Wamac Conference, 77.8 18-hole average with 39.88 combined adjusted average.

Ben Hesner, East Buchanan, sr. — Placed fourth in 2022 1A state meet, tied for 16th in 2021, led 1A with 73.0 18-hole and had team-high and 1A second-best 38.10 combined adjusted averages.

Jack McCarty, Solon, jr. — Tied for 20th in 2022 3A state meet, placed sixth in 2021, first-team all-Wamac, 2022 Iowa Junior Open champion, averaged 78.0 per round, ranked 11th in 3A with 39.38 combined adjusted average.

Nate Offerman, Dyersville Beckman, sr. — 2021 2A individual state champion, placed 16th in 2022 state meet, first-team all-Wamac, ranked among 2A leaders with 74.8 18-hole and 38.88 combined adjusted averages.

Roman Roth, Washington (Iowa), jr. — Tied for 7th in 2022 3A state meet, Southeast Conference meet champion, led the Demons with a 73.83 18-hole average with 39.92 combined adjusted average.

Mikey Takacs, Iowa City Regina, sr. — Tied for fifth in 2A state meet a year ago, tied for 18th in 2021, first-team all-RVC, led Regals with 78.0 18-hole average and 38.64 combined adjusted average.

Isaiah Zoske, Solon, soph. — Tied for 10th in 2022 3A state tournament, 2022 district medalist, averaged 78.43 per 18 holes, ranked 12th in 3A with 39.85 combined adjusted average.

Boys’ golf teams to watch

Dyersville Beckman: The Blazers are loaded with individual talent and depth. Five of six starters return from last year’s Class 2A state runner-up team. Beckman boasts two of the top finishers in 2022 state runner-up in Luke Harwick and 2021 state champion Nate Offerman. Seniors Noah Boge and Brady Bockenstedt and junior T.J. Thier provide depth and a handful of candidates have emerged as contenders for starting spots. The Blazers will be tough to beat, even with the move to the River Valley Conference.

East Buchanan: The Buccaneers return four starters from last season’s 1A state runner-up team. They ranked among the 1A state leaders with a team combined adjusted average of 169.82. Senior Ben Hesner leads the way, but junior Hayden Nelson was second on the team in all average categories and placed 10th at state. Owen Reck and Sam Cook round out the returning starters as East Buchanan is poised for another deep run.

English Valleys: The Bears return four starters from last season’s fifth-place squad at the 1A state tournament. The sectional and district team champions were third in the South Iowa Cedar League, despite a 31-4 mark against conference foes a year ago. Junior Eli Marsh tied for 13th at state and brings back a 79.0 18-hole average and 41.0 combined adjusted average, while sophomore Gage Heyne ranked second on the team at 90 and 45. If golfers develop, English Valleys should have another strong year.

Solon: The Spartans have placed second at the 3A state meet each of the last two seasons. They return four starters from last season and possess all the components for a similar finish. Solon has low scorers in Jack McCarty and Isaiah Zoske, who own top-10 state finishes each of the last two years. Mac McCarty and Brennan Heesch provide a strong nucleus of four scores. The Spartans have record numbers out under 16-year coach Adam Stahle. All the Spartans need is to develop their depth and fill out the lineup.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com