Prep golf notes: Cedar Rapids Prairie’s girls’ golf team fields experienced lineup

Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Addie Berg has achieved individual success in golf.

She has been one of the Mississippi Valley Conference’s best players and has been a constant at the state tournament, qualifying twice and placing eighth a year ago.

The Hawks senior is just as enthusiastic about the team’s potential.

“My biggest goal is to see my team get to state,” Berg said. “I’d like to see us do that one time while I’m here. We have a pretty big senior lineup.

“My hope for this year is the team do well.”

Prairie returned all six starters back from last season, giving Hawks Coach Erik Columbus one of his most experienced squads. The Hawks opened the varsity slate Thursday night , winning a quadrangular against the Iowa City High, Iowa City Liberty and host Iowa City West at Finkbine Golf Course.

Prairie shot 201, topping City High by four. Liberty was third at 210. Berg share co-medalist honors with Liberty’s Bella Petersen, shooting 44 apiece. The Hawks received 51 from Morgan Burhans, while Shelby Reck and Cora Nunemaker carded 52 and 54, respectively, to round out the scoring.

The team aspect adds enjoyment to competition. Play becomes more than about yourself.

“It’s a lot of fun to see the team do well,” Berg said. “I play a lot in the summer and that is very individualized, so when you have teammates it’s fun to be able to root for them. You want other people to do well, instead of just thinking about how you want to win.”

Berg is an accomplished and experienced golfer. She said she tries to share her knowledge with teammates, attempting to help them navigate courses. Berg has embraced the leadership role among a veteran group.

“She’s done a great job leading by example,” Columbus said about the team that started five seniors and a junior Thursday. “Everybody back is nice since I already know their games and we can just pick up where we left off last year.”

Berg entered the season ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, according to Bound. Despite the aspirations for team success, she still has focused on improving her game.

“I have been working on my swing, trying to get it to where it needs to be so now that we’re outside I can focus on my short game,” Berg said. “It wasn’t great, but it was good to see what I need to work on, especially with these little nine-hole meets early in the year.”

TIPTON’S SORGENFREY STARTS HOT

Tipton senior Tristin Sorgenfrey is off to a hot start. He has claimed medalist honors in all three of the Tigers’ competitions this spring.

Sorgenfrey fired a 37 Monday in Tipton’s 164-184 dual win over Iowa City Regina at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. He also opened the season on March 27 with top honors in a win over Wilton at Tipton Golf and Country Club, carding a 35.

His best performance came at the annual Solon Invitational at Lake MacBride Golf Course on March 30. Sorgenfrey, a multi-sport athlete that qualified for the Class 2A state wrestling tournament at 138 pounds in February, posted an event record with a 5-under 67, edging Solon’s Isaiah Zoske by a stroke.

The round was highlighted by a 31 on the back nine. Sorgenfrey tallied four birdies, bogey, and an eagle on the par-5 18th hole, giving him six total birdies for the round.

Sorgenfrey ranks among the state leaders in scoring so far this season. He leads in 18-hole low and 18-hole adjusted average (65.90). Sorgenfrey is fourth in nine-hole adjusted average (37.35). He owns a 36.05 combined adjusted average.

ROTHS GO LOW

Rajan and Roman Roth, both of Washington, Iowa, own two of the lowest nine-hole scores in the state. Rajan Roth, a freshman, shot a 33, while Roman, a junior, carded 34 at in a five-team meet Monday at Fairfield Golf and Country Club.

Rajan ranks first in the state and Roman is tied for second with Knoxville’s Evan Smith.