Cougars capture Class 4A district title

CEDAR FALLS – Cedar Rapids Kennedy's boys' golf team headed to Red Robin to celebrate.

The victory meal was well-deserved.

The Cougars punched their ticket for a fifth straight state tournament, winning the Class 4A district meet Tuesday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course. Kennedy scored 304, edging host Cedar Falls by one stroke, and senior Cody Bell won medalist honors with a 1-over-par 73 for a title sweep.

The program left the golf course with a little something for its desert, coming away with another district crown when the top three teams advanced.

 “To win it, that's icing on the cake,” Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said. “It's always good to win.

Bell put the championship picture in focus when he came in with his score early. Bell finished the first nine with 2-over 38, but was 1-under the rest of the way. It allowed Wilden to breathe a little easier.

“I thought that's pretty good and giving us a good start,” Wilden said. “I didn't think anybody else would get him and they didn't. I felt pretty good there to be in the top three.”

Bell's long frame produces a fluid swing that generates plenty of power and his length off the tee benefitted him on a day when the brisk windy had an impact.

“On the back nine, I really started to hit my driver well, so that's where my round started going (good),” said Bell, who battled putting problems on the front. “It was more settling in on the back and I was able to do that.”

Bell finished strong, playing 1-under the final five holes. He used a strong drive followed by an approach that placed him with four feet of the pin for a birdie on No. 15. On the 510-yard par-5 No. 17, Bell's second shot went just beyond the green, leading to an up-and-down for another birdie.

“It helps a lot,” Bell said about his length on the 6,810-yard course. “I'm able to hit irons into some greens that are pretty deep, so that's huge.”

Bell wasn't the only Cougar among the leaders. Harrison Moore posted a 76 to finish fourth, providing a key low round in the win. Moore managed the course and his shots effectively.

“My short game helped a lot today,” Moore said. “Keeping the ball low on my drives really helped me.”

The Cougars rose to the challenge presented by Cedar Falls and third-place Linn-Mar, which also qualified for state. It was a good gauge for them, providing some momentum for state meet .

"It was great competition," Moore said. "I'm really happy with how everyone played.

Kennedy used a balanced effort to hold off the Tigers. Jake Wilding recorded a 77 and Mitch Martin finished with 78. All six Cougars shot 80 or better, exhibiting the team's depth.

“I'm very proud of these guys,” Wilden said. “We had to show a lot of character today.”

The two-round 4A state meet will be held Friday and Saturday at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City.

District 4A Tourn Results - 2011