Klostermann sisters lead Beckman back to state golf meet

Blair and Brooke Klostermann have grown up competing with and against each other.

The twin sisters from Dyersville Beckman earned one more opportunity before heading to separate colleges to continue their respective athletic careers.

The Klostermanns will make their fourth appearance at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state golf meet today at the American Legion Golf course in Marshalltown. The two-round tournament concludes Tuesday. Play is set to begin at 9 a.m. both days.

Brooke Klostermann will golf for Wartburg next season, while Blair Klostermann will play basketball at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. It makes this final event bittersweet.

'I'm excited to play because she's always been by my side and I've always been by hers,” Blair Klostermann said. 'It's been a good long four years and I don't want it to end, but I'm ready for this to be our last go-round.”

Each has made a habit of trying to best the other, dating back to their youth. Much of it was natural and some of it was being the youngest of four children, who all golfed for Beckman.

Blair Klostermann topped her sister by four strokes for medalist honors at the second regional meet.

'We're very competitive with each other,” said Brooke Klostermann, the runner-up medalist. 'We're always out to beat each other, but it makes the team better. We can come in with two low scores.”

Brooke Klostermann has an advantage on the links. She was a state runner-up to teammate Ellie Ament as a freshman. She was fourth in last season, placing eighth in 2013. Blair Klostermann was 12th last season and had a top-25 showing as a freshman. She had the better finish as a sophomore, getting eighth.

Both have been key components in Beckman's recent run at state, helping them to a fifth straight state appearance. The Blazers were fourth last season in Class 3A, winning the 2A state title in 2012 and earning a 3A runner-up finish 2013.

They appreciate the chance to reach this meet each season, and it never grows old.

'It has different competition every single year, because there are always harder teams,” said Blair Klostermann, who was regional medalist with a 78. 'It's more difficult to get there year after year. To make it four years in a row makes it a great accomplishment.”

Brooke Klostermann ranks second in 3A with an 80.20 18-hole average. Blair Klostermann is close behind in third at 83.20. The Blazers are first as a team, averaging 364.40 per 18. Seniors Keri Wells and Cori Scherbring and freshman Jackie Olberding have all shot 99 or better for Beckman.

'We have four seniors on our team,” Blair Klostermann said. 'We wanted to go back and we put in a lot of hard work this year. It's turned out to be good.”

The Blazers will treat this like any other meet. The approach is to give the best effort possible and enjoy the moment.

'Our ultimate goal is to win state, but we'll be happy with playing our best and having fun,” said Brooke Klostermann, shooting for a state individual title as well. 'We want to win state but whatever happens happens.”

Beckman will be joined by Williamsburg and Monticello in the 3A meet.

Iowa City West qualified for the 5A state tournament at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. Iowa City High's Sarah Overton earned a berth as an individual.

Western Dubuque and Washington, Iowa, advanced to the 4A state tournament, which is also at American Legion Golf Course. The Demons are led by freshman Sarah Nacos, who ranks first in 4A.

South Winneshiek will compete at the 2A state meet at Ames Golf and Country Club, which also hosts the 1A tournament. Central City's Kailey Tyne qualified as an individual.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com