Solon boys’ golf looks to improve consecutive state runner-up finishes

SOLON – Silver has lost its luster and gold is the goal.

Solon boys’ golf team were a surprise runner-up in 2021. Maybe they were expecting to win a title, instead of earning it a year ago. The approach and attitude are different this time.

“This year, I think we’re coming out strong,” Solon junior Jack McCarty said. “We’re actually fighting for something.

“I think we’re tired of second place.”

The Spartans have created a budding tradition and will make its third straight Class 3A state golf appearance Monday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames, starting at 10:30 a.m. with the final round Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Solon is looking for its first team title but faces a stacked field that includes two-time defending state champion Gilbert and highly-ranked ADM, Knoxville and MOC-Floyd Valley.

“I think we have the potential,” Solon Coach Adam Stahle said. “This year, there are five teams that are all right there. It’s going to be a two-day grind. The weather looks absolutely perfect and it should be a lot of fun.”

The Spartans returned four from last year’s team, including McCarty, his older brother, Mac, and Brennan Heesch. All three have been part of both state runner-up teams. They formed a strong nucleus with sophomore Isaiah Zoske, who tied for 10th as a freshman.

“The past sectional and district exceeded my expectations,” said Jack McCarty, who was sixth individually in 2021. “I was not sure how this year would be. We had a solid four, but Sean (Stahle) and Quinton (Heineman) have stepped up and been pretty good. I think we have a better chance than other years, to be honest.”

Peaking for the postseason is desirable. Solon posted two of its lowest 18-hole team scores for sectional and district titles. The Spartans fired 292 in the first qualifier and followed it with 295 to reach state.

Stahle said his staff has emphasized practice how they play and show the same focus during a practice round or on the driving range as they do in competition. Consistent approaches are key and it is too hard to flip the switch on and off.

“You definitely want to be playing your best now,” Stahle said. “I think we are.”

Camaraderie has been another strong factor. The team will often stick around after practice to play more golf. They competed with and for one another. The product is the third-best 18-hole low (292) and combined adjusted average (158.08) and fourth-lowest 18-hole average (307.29).

This group is really close,” Stahle said. “They really enjoy being around each other.”

“They’ve really come together over the last couple weeks, even more than they were. They’ve all been friends for a long time. It’s a real fun group to be around.”

All six starters own a combined adjust average of 43.2 or better. Jack McCarty and Zoske lead the way with averages that rank among 3A golfers. McCarty is fifth in 18-hole average (73.57), seventh in 18-hole adjusted average (76.13) and eighth in combined adjusted (39.19). Zoske ranks seventh with 74 18-hole average, fifth in combined adjusted (38.09) and his 76.56 18-hole adjusted average is ninth.

Different times of the season, one has bested the other, driving each to improve.

“Isaiah and I push each other,” McCarty said. “He beat me a lot at the start of the year and I beat him toward the end. I think that has pushed us a lot.”

Solon has thrived and attracted a lot of attention in recent years. The program has grown to more than 50 players, a high for Stahle. He praised his assistants for their dedication, opting for early days opening the weight room for players to work out and/or late evenings to help players work on their game after practice. Non-varsity players contribute and are vested in the team’s success, asking about results from meets.

“It’s been a true team,” Stahle said. “It has been enjoyable to be a part of.”

The second-place finishes are a program best. Some of the current Spartans are on the ground floor of building an annual contender.

“We blew everyone out of the water our first year of golf,” McCarty said. “We made it to state. We just hit the ground running after that.

“I want to be part of history where Solon wins state for the first time as a team. If we could do that, it would be awesome.”

Like Solon, Dyersville Beckman will attempt to improve a state runner-up finish, making a third straight appearance. The Blazers return to the 2A meet and have two of the top individuals the last two seasons. Nate Offerman was the individual champion in 2021, while Luke Harwick was the runner-up medalist a year ago.

In 1A, Montezuma and Hillcrest Academy made the field. The Braves were close to qualifying in a tough district that produced state champion AGWSR and third-place East Buchanan. The Braves lead 1A with a 167.77 combined adjusted average. Hillcrest owns the top 1A 18-hole average (322.67) and 18-hole adjusted average (330.67).

“We had a really good team last year,” Montezuma Coach Randy Masterson said earlier this season. “We lost only one varsity player.”

“It was pretty disappointing to have such a successful season and come up short on state,” Montezuma’s Maguire DeJong said about a year ago.

STATE GOLF TOURNAMENTS

May 22-23

CLASS 3A

Where: Ames, Veenker Memorial Golf Course

Start time: Monday at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Gazette-area team qualifiers: Solon, West Delaware, Williamsburg

Other qualifying teams: ADM, Gilbert, Knoxville, MOC-Floyd Valley, Spencer, Waverly-Shell Rock, Winterset

Gazette-area individual qualifiers: Carter Lamont, Vinton-Shellsburg, jr.; Zach McCarty, Clear Creek Amana, sr.; Roman Roth, Washington, Iowa, jr.

CLASS 2A

Where: Ames, Coldwater Golf Links

Start time: Monday at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Gazette-area team qualifier: Dyersville Beckman

Other qualifying teams: Boyden-Hull, Carroll Kuemper, Des Moines Christian, Grundy Center, Hudson, Pella Christian, Van Meter, Western Christian

Gazette-area individual qualifiers: Will Bridges, West Branch, sr.; Tristin Sorgenfrey, Tipton, sr.; Brandon Tournier, Oelwein, soph.

CLASS 1A

Where: Ames, Ames Golf & Country Club

Start time: Monday at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Gazette-area team qualifiers: Hillcrest Academy, Montezuma

Other qualifying teams: AGWSR, CAM Anita, LeMars Gehlen, Kingsley-Pierson, Remsen St, Mary’s, South Hamilton, Wapello, West Fork

Gazette-area individual qualifiers: Ben Hesner, East Buchanan, sr.; Mikey Takacs, Iowa City Regina, sr.

Admission: Daily tickets $10 per person. Must be purchased at https://www.iahsaa.org/tickets/