Linn-Mar’s Christian Cloyd will attempt to parlay steady gains into best high school golf season

MARION – Linn-Mar’s Christian Cloyd has made consistent improvement each season.

He noted how his scoring average shrunk considerably from his first varsity season to the end of his junior campaign (about eight strokes). Cloyd has a simple explanation for his progress – devotion equals development.

“I would attribute all the gains that I've had throughout my high school career to time,” Cloyd said. “All the long days where you're just on the green, putting all night. If you put in the time, the results will come.”

Cloyd’s effort has paid dividends in state tournament appearances the last two seasons. His sights are set on his best personal finish and a state team berth for his senior golf season. Linn-Mar opens competition with the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet on Thursday at South Hill Golf Course in Waterloo.

“I'm going to make the improvement,” Cloyd said. “It's not like I hope I finish better. I know that I'm going to do better, but my only goal this year is to have my teammates right there beside me.”

Offseason work has always been a key component to his growth as a golfer. Cloyd spent two months out of state during the winter to refine his technique.

“In my opinion, and a lot of other people's opinions, today's game is all about how fast and how far you can hit it,” Cloyd said. “Most of the winters are just lifting and trying to get as fast as I can.

“Fortunately, enough, I was able to be in Florida. That was just two months of straight grinding and getting my game as good as it can be.”

Passion for the game has been a driving force for Cloyd. He is willing to travel many miles to train and compete and invests time and effort to be his best. Others might be surprised about what compels him the most.

“Honestly, the bad rounds are probably the thing that motivates me to most,” Cloyd said. “I know where I can go low. I've done it before, but those bad rounds are the ones that just make you want to work 10 times harder because you never want to shoot that again.”

Cloyd said he can be a perfectionist. He has been happy with performances but is rarely satisfied. His quest to constantly evolve has been natural for him. A prime example came Monday when Cloyd fired a 3-under 69 in the first round of the Minnesota Regional of the Notah Begay III Junior National Golf Championships qualifier.

“Even after my round today, my dad was like, ‘great round’ and I was just like I could have shot 64,” said Cloyd, who finish fourth overall with a 36-hole total of 144. “It’s hard for me not to think about all the small things I could have done better, which, as a golfer, can help you some days but can also hurt you.”

Cloyd placed 12 th at the 2023 Class 4A state golf meet. He jumped to an eighth-place tie last season. Linn-Mar Coach Chris James recognizes the potential Cloyd possesses to make his last run the best.

“He really has all the physical tools,” James said. “He just eats, sleeps and he breathes this stuff. He loves golf. He's all about it all the time. The passion's there. I think there's still some course management things he can improve on, which anybody his age can get better at.”

James said Cloyd could live on a golf course if he could. He added that ball-striking is Cloyd’s strength. He has advanced in the short game and course management could be an area to lower his scores.

“He’s a student of the game,” James said. “He likes to learn and get better. I think he listens really well to me.”

Cloyd wants his final season to be memorable. He said he’d like to be accompanied by teammates at the state tournament this season, capping a long stretch the Lions have competed together.

“Obviously, this is the last year with the kids on my team that I’ve grown up with since I was a kid,” Cloyd said. “Literally, four years of my life have been with Coach James. I think this year just means so much to not even just me, but all my friends that are on the team. We seriously have been talking about a state run since freshman year. How cool would it be to win state?”

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