Top girls’ golf talent in Cedar Rapids metro could be the best it’s ever been

The level of top girls’ golfers could be at an all-time high in the Metro.

State rankings are littered with names from the Cedar Rapids, Marion and Iowa City area.

Six top-10 individuals in Classes 3A and 4A and three teams ranked in the top five for scoring through all classes were part of the annual CRANDIC field Wednesday at Gardner Golf Course.

Cedar Rapids Washington’s Jane Petersen is second in 4A with a 38.47 combined adjusted average. Two-time CRANDIC medalist Addie Berg, of Cedar Rapids Prairie, jumped to fourth at 38.76. Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp moved up to eighth with a 40.62 average. Washington’s Mya Messenger is ninth in 4A scoring.

Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Mehar and Meera Julka have cemented themselves among 3A leaders. Mehar sits fifth with a 41.42 combined adjusted average, while Meera is eighth at 42.08.

This doesn’t include Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen, who has competed in a limited schedule due to her battle with arthritis. Pettersen did not play in Wednesday’s CRANDIC meet but is the two-time defending Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Player of the Year and placed third at state last season. She ranks 22nd in 4A this season. Washington freshman Lily Belle Barker and Linn-Mar’s Quinn Dunkle are top-15 golfers as well.

A high tide raises all boats and the level of competition has pushed golfers to new heights.

“Many of these girls play against one another in summer events, as well as school meets during the season, so they know each other well,” Linn-Mar Coach Chris James said. “The competitive spirit is great because they consistently push each other. They know that if they don’t bring it on any given day, there’s a good chance they’ll be beat. Complacency is out of the question and I love it.

The Saints lead area teams, coming in third overall and second in 3A with a 173.50 combined adjusted average. They are one spot ahead of Linn-Mar, which comes in with a 175.68 average. Washington is fifth in all classes and third in 4A with a 176.53 combined adjusted average.

“I can’t recollect a time when there were more elite teams and players in the area then there is now," Prairie Coach Erik Columbus said.

Some schools face participation problems and struggle to fill six starters. Most of the CRANDIC schools have competitive players, which is evident in five top-12 finishers at 2022 state meets. Those programs are experiencing the impact of work at the youth level.

“I know there’s been a push at many golf courses and clubs to get kids involved in golf at an early age,” James said, “and we’re seeing the benefits of that now.”

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Busy day for Cedar Rapids Washington duo

Cedar Rapids Washington junior Mya Messenger and freshman Lily Belle Barker are multiple-sport athletes, pulling double-duty this spring. They are starters for the Warriors’ golf and tennis teams. The programs overlapped Wednesday, causing for a long but successful day for them.

Messenger and Barker each shot 82 and tied for fifth individually at the CRANDIC. They also helped Washington tie with the second-best team score and a third-place finish.

The performance was just the midway point of their day. Messenger and Barker rushed to Linn-Mar for a tennis meet. Messenger teamed with Chloe Palmer to win No. 2 doubles. Barker competed with Peyton Caldwell to win No. 3 doubles. The Warriors defeated the Lions, 8-1, to remain unbeaten this season.

Messenger ranks 12th in all classes with a 40.90 combined adjusted average. She owns a 39.67 nine-hole average. Barker is not far behind with 43.30 combined adjusted average, which is good for 14th in 4A.

Beckmain pair ranks high

Dyersville Beckman has a luxury many programs don’t. The Blazers have two state title contenders in their lineup. Senior Nate Offerman was the Class 2A state champion in 2021, while junior Luke Harwick was state runner-up last year.

Both are back and rank among 2A’s leaders. Harwick is second with a 36.75 combined adjusted average and Offerman is third at 37.08. They are second and fourth among all classes, bracketing Solon’s 3A leader Isaiah Zoske, who averages 37.04.

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