Iowa high school fall golf 2023: Gazette area golfers and teams to watch

A look at Gazette area golfers and teams to watch ahead of the 2023 Iowa high school Class 4A boys’ fall golf season.

Golfers to watch

Reid Hall, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, sr. — 2022 Class 4A state champion, 2023 Rotary Pribyl champion, Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division Player of the Year, first-team all-Metro. Averaged 74.0 per round with a 37.2 combined adjusted average.

Tanner Wachtl, Cedar Rapids Prairie, sr. — Two-time state participant, 2023 Pribyl runner-up, three-time first-team all-Metro and three-time all-MVC player, claiming first-team honors in 2022. Averaged 74.88 for 18 holes with 37.73 combined adjusted average.

Quincey Johnson, Cedar Rapids Xavier, sr. — 2022 and 2020 state participant, three-time all-MVC division performer, receiving second-team honors in 2022, second-team all-Metro. Averaged 38 per nine, 78.9 for 18 holes with 39.51 combined adjusted average.

Garrett Nurre, Cedar Rapids Xavier, sr. — Tied for 17th at 2022 state meet, first-team all-MVC in 2021 and second-team all-MVC Valley in 2022, second-team all-Metro, third at 2023 Pribyl. Averaged 78 per round with 38.95 combined adjusted average.

Jackson Webber, Western Dubuque, sr. — 2022 state participant, first-team all-MVC Valley. Fourth in 4A with 34.75 average per nine holes last year, averaged 81.91 per 18 and compiled a 40.63 combined adjusted average.

Brock Wilson, Western Dubuque, jr. — Two-time state participant, 2021 individual state qualifier, second-team all-MVC Valley. Scored 35.75 per nine holes, 81.0 for 18 and posted 40.4 combined adjusted average.

J.J. Grimm, Iowa City Liberty, sr. — Second-team all-MVC Mississippi, tied for 2022 CRANDIC runner-up. Led Lightning with averages of 37.2 (nine), 77.38 (18) and 38.83 (combined).

Christian Cloyd, Linn-Mar, soph. — First-team all-MVC Valley Division, second-team all-Metro. Averaged 39 per nine holes and 80.63 per round with 40.14 combined adjusted average.

Jack Rogers, Iowa City High, soph. — First-team all-MVC Valley Division. Posted team-high averages of 38.6 per nine, 80.63 for 18 and 40.54 combined adjusted.

Dillon Croco, Iowa City West, sr. — First-team all-MVC Valley Division. Led Trojans with 79.86 18-hole average and 40.66 combined adjusted.

Teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Prairie — The Hawks reached the state tournament in 2020 and 2021 but missed with a senior-laden squad last season. The Hawks have one of the top individuals in Tanner Wachtl, who will provide a low score each round. Bryson Steuhm was a regular starter last season with C.J. Keenan earning four starts. Freshman Henry Sobaski showed his potential at the Pribyl, placing 10th in the open division. If the Hawks develop a fourth scorer and add depth, they will be at the top of team races all season.

Cedar Rapids Xavier — The Saints have been state regulars since 2017, qualifying five of the last six seasons. After a one-year hiatus, Xavier sent Hall of Fame Coach Tim O’Brien out with a sixth-place finish at the 2022 4A state meet. New head coach Brandon Schiltz inherits a lot of talent, including four returners from last season. Grant Allen tied for 14th at state. Garrett Nurre, Quincey Johnson and Jacob Schmit will be looked to as leaders. The Pribyl was a prime example of their depth with Nurre, Johnson, Allen and freshman Logan Otting finishing third through sixth.

Linn-Mar — The Lions seem to reload each season and use the short regular season to develop. Linn-Mar Coach Chris James seems to get the best out of his players, peaking for the postseason. The Lions are coming off an MVC Valley divisional title. Sophomore Christian Cloyd is the top golfer back. He will need to score low and Lions like Drake Miller and Colton Bergen need to help fill out scores. Linn-Mar will need a big contribution from juniors and underclassmen stepping into the lineup.

Western Dubuque — The Bobcats are loaded and poised for one of the program’s best seasons. Western Dubuque qualified for the state tournament a year ago and returns five of its six qualifiers. Overall, the Bobcats have six golfers with starting experience, including Brock Wilson, Jackson Webber, Jackson and Tyler Skrtich and Brayden Webber. Henry Gilbertson showed promise and could round out a deep and talented team.

Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com