Washington’s Mya Messenger and Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp share medalist honors at windy MVC girls’ golf Super Meet

CEDAR RAPIDS — The competition was tough. The conditions were tougher.

The constant wind gusted across the open Airport National Golf Course stiffened flags, swayed trees and bushes, frustrated golfers and inflated scores.

“We haven’t dealt with conditions like this,” Cedar Rapids Washington’s Mya Messenger said. “Rain is tough but I’d say this is the most difficult we’ve had to deal with this season.”

Messenger and Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp handled the course and circumstances better than the rest. They shared medalist honors, shooting 73 at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet. The Lions also won the team title, recording a 324 total and topping Dubuque Wahlert by one. The Warriors were third with 331.

Messenger earned her second co-medalist honor this season and her first since a conference quadrangular on April 11.

“Our whole team has been working hard at practice, especially at the range, on our short game and dealing with winds and faster greens.

“Practice with my coaches and playing games with my teammates does make it a fun time to get better and work on the game of golf.”

The effort she’s made since last season helped her keep her score down as well as anyone. She has worked on her swing speed and her driver. Her improvement on the green provided a boost.

Messenger was able to make some lengthy putts early in the round, including a 20-footer, to help establish a rhythm, which led to a 33 on the back nine. She also drained a birdie putt on the No. 8 hole.

“I’ve really focused in on my putter,” Messenger said. “I felt that’s what really worked well for me today. I saved a lot of pars and a birdie with long putts.”

Just to get to the green was a struggle. The key was to identify how it impacted each hole separately and adapting, which was easier to do because Messenger was familiar with the course. The approach paid dividends.

“Add clubs if the wind is in your face and take away yardage if it’s with you,” Messenger said. “It’s just like playing the course. You have to adjust to what’s in front of you.”

Rupp was as consistent as anyone. She tallied eight pars in the round, including five on the back nine. She also notched a birdie on the par-3 No. 14 hole. Rupp also powered the Lions to the team crown.

Quinn Dunkle carded 79, Ava Kline had 83 and Gabby Mercure added 89, boosting Linn-Mar from a runner-up finish in this meet last year.

Messenger’s teammate Jane Peterson, who was the Super Meet medalist a year ago, tied for third. She fired a 76, tying Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen. The Warriors’ Lily Belle Barker shot 81, while Mackenzie Parks and Lydia Nichols tied for Washington’s final score.

The Super Meet serves as the first of a three-round competition for MVC Mississippi and Valley Division honors. The first of two divisionals is scheduled for next Monday. The Valley will be at Ellis Golf Course. The Mississippi is set for The Meadows Golf Club in Dubuque.

Cedar Rapids Prairie Coach Erik Columbus said players have dealt with cold and other elements, but the wind was at its worst Monday.

“Hats off to the players,” Columbus said. “It was hard enough driving a cart. Imagine swinging a club.”

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