Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp vies for 3rd straight girls’ state golf title

Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp recalled her first state tournament.

She experienced some butterflies when she stepped to the first tee but it didn’t compare to the stress of lining up a two-foot putt on the final hole in front of a large gallery, waiting for the leaders in the next group.

“I was very nervous my freshman year,” Rupp said. “I feel like state is kind of a different tournament altogether because there's a ton of decorations up and there's always a ton of people watching.

“I know what to expect.”

Rupp is now a full-fledged veteran of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state golf tournament, placing fifth as a freshman and claiming the last two Class 4A individual titles. She will begin her quest for a third straight crown Thursday at Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Iowa City.

“I feel like this time around I really just want to have fun,” Rupp said. “I know a lot of my former teammates; my college coach is going to come watch and it will be really fun to see everybody there.

“I've been playing well. I really just want to have fun and enjoy my last state tournament.”

Regardless of the finish, her fourth state meet will be the icing on a gourmet cake of a career. Rupp’s resume contains almost every accomplishment. She has earned multiple all-state performer, a two-time all Mississippi Valley Conference divisional Player of the year, a consistent state placewinner and University of South Dakota signee.

“From my perspective, she doesn’t need to do anything else to prove herself to me or anybody else. Maybe herself just by being the competitor she is,” Linn-Mar Coach Chris James said. “She’s already done everything you can ask for. She’s probably done as much as any girls’ golfer in the state of Iowa at that level.”

Rupp has demonstrated all the skills from her first competition. Entering her junior year, she made strides by devoting time to training and getting stronger. Rupp has turned her focus to the mental aspects of the game.

“I really realized this season, at this point in my career, golf is 90 percent mental for me,” Rupp said. “I've really found that when I stay calm and relaxed and have a good time that does wonders for me more so than hitting balls at the range.

“I've noticed that I really have to make an effort to stay calm and if things start going bad just take things slowly. I've realized the importance of staying calm and keeping my composure.”

Rupp has a few tools that she will utilize to remain chill when play heats up. She has a booklet with motivational quotes and jokes to stay loose. She also relies on music, often singing a song in her head. Usually, it is a song she recently heard or listened to on the way to the course. A Nicki Minaj track or two might do the trick.

“I sing songs in my head to distract myself from thinking about the end result, staying in the present,” Rupp said. “I feel like deep breaths help me a lot, too, and just being very conscious about making all of my movements slower, like walking slower and going through my entire routine without rushing it.”

James said he expects her to do well this week but staying in the moment is crucial. It is important to understand that Rupp isn’t defending anything. She’s contending again.

“Every year is a new thing,” James said. “Every meet is a new thing. Every hole is new. … Whatever she’s doing at that moment is the most important thing. Just being present is the most important thing for her.”

Rupp is part of local contingent of individuals that have ranked among the 4A leaders all season, including Iowa City West’s Ainsley Wilson, Cedar Rapids Washington’s Jane Petersen, Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Kylie Wachtl.

Wilson was MVC Mississippi Player of the Year, while Petersen was MVC Valley co-Player of the Year. Petersen was also a state runner-up to Rupp in 2023. The Warriors are also among the team contenders, returning from a runner-up team finish a year ago.

“The competition has been incredible in our area,” James said. “I think what has made her (Rupp) better is she has focused so much on her mentality.”

IGHSAU STATE TOURNAMENT

May 29-30

CLASS 4A

At Iowa City

(Pleasant Valley Golf Course)

Teams – C.R. Washington, Iowa City West, Western Dubuque, Ames, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Indianola, Norwalk, Pleasant Valley, Waukee Northwest

Individuals (on non-qualifying teams) – Lila Bowman, Iowa City Liberty; Ellie Nurre, C.R. Kennedy; Morgan Rupp, Linn-Mar; Kylie Wachtl, C.R. Prairie; Rylee Brockhouse, Muscatine; Natalie Henson, Marshalltown; Chloe Perfect, Lewis Central; Bree Stegall, Waterloo West; Saleah Vivanh-Vong, Des Moines East/North; Anna Wahman, Southeast Polk; Kate Wahman, Southeast Polk; Dempsey White, Dubuque Senior

CLASS 3A

At Solon

(Saddleback Ridge Golf Course)

Teams – Benton Community, C.R. Xavier, Lisbon, Williamsburg, Des Moines Christian, Dubuque Wahlert, Gilbert, MOC-Floyd Valley, Pella, Sioux Center

Individuals (on non-qualifying teams) – Aubrey Dolezal, South Tama; Izzy Frees, Solon; Susie Funke, West Delaware; Brooklyn Lee, Clear Creek Amana; Elle Ebeling, Clear Lake; Keely Kauten, DNH/AP; Macy Mueller, Harlan; Mady Mummelthel, Waverly-Shell Rock; Maddy Raveling, Storm Lake; Lauren Schmidt, Nevada; Caelie Smith, Knoxville; Seeri Smith, DNH/AP

CLASS 2A

At Boone

(Cedar Pointe Golf Course)

Teams – Jesup, Oelwein, Central Lyon, Grundy Center, New Hampton, Red Oak, Roland-Story, Shenandoah, Sumner-Fredericksburg, West Marshall

Individuals (on non-qualifying teams) – Kennedy Crist, Tipton; Devon Meyer, MFL MarMac; Payge Sorgenfrey, Tipton; Addy Beiter, Carroll Kuemper; Josie Bemis, Van Buren; Lexie Benham, Denver; Sydney Helgeson, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura; Emma Kipfer, Albia; Ashlyn Kramer, Hinton; Kenzie Moellers, Crestwood; Audrey Overgaard, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura; Sophi Pedersen, Treynor; Taylor Rasmussen, Clarinda; Ainsley Teeling, Crestwood; Kennedy Thacker, Eagle Grove; Emma Topp, South Hardin; Addy Weinreich, Clarinda

CLASS 1A

At Marshalltown

(American Legion Golf Course)

Teams – East Buchanan, Highland, Akron-Westfield, East Union, Easton Valley, Lake Mills, Mason City Newman, Mount Ayr, Nashua-Plainfield, Newell-Fonda

Individuals (on non-qualifying teams) – Bretlyn Decker, Central City; Kathryn Ballard, Martensdale-St. Marys; Emma Busby, New London; Gabriella Buscher, Algona Garrigan; Lauren Callison, Durant; Clare Christensen, Council Bluffs St. Albert; Miaya Fourez, Southwest Valley; Cassidy Horstmann, South O’Brien; Calista Joyce, Emmetsburg; Emmalin Marshall, Wapello; Maci Mayer, Saint Ansgar; Reese Miller, Boyer Valley; Ava Rice, Waterloo Christian; Josie Rokusek, Boyden-Hull; Jordyn Sitzmann, Kingsley-Pierson; Aly Steil, North Mahaska; Mary Stephens, Underwood; Avery Westphal, Alta-Aurelia;

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