Lindwall claims medalist honors at Blue top Ridge

RIVERSIDE - The round was not the typical performance from Frank Lindwall.

The Cedar Rapids Washington sophomore will accept the outcome.

Lindwall overcame an ability to reach greens in regulation by thriving around and on them. He shot 1-under 71 and earned medalist honors at the Iowa City West Blue Top Ridge Invitational on Tuesday at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course.

Lindwall allowed his short game to power his way to the title. He offset reaching only four greens in regulation (a number of expected strokes to reach the putting surface in relation to par) with 21 putts on a course designed for professional play.

'Today was unbelievable,” Lindwall said. 'I don't think I'll have a day like this for a long time.

'I saved par so many times.”

The opening hole was indicative of the day he faced. He missed the green well to the right and sat below the hole. He chipped in for par. he had a similar experience on the fifth hole.

'He scrambled well and good golfers know how to scramble,” Washington Coach Dennis Goettel said. 'He was just so precise. He is so careful on every shot. He knows what he's doing all the times. He's a real student of the game.”

The product was 11 pars and four birdies, posting a 2-under 34 on the front. Those results weren't derived from luck. Lindwall focused on his short game during the off-season, devoting just about every day during the summer according to Goettel.

'I put in a lot of hard work,” Lindwall said. 'It is good to see it's paying off.”

Lindwall tied for 10th at last year's state meet in his freshman year. The finish boosted his confidence. He said he has noticed the improvement and Monday is a prime example of it. He is excited about the rest of the season and moving up the state ladder.

'Definitely, there is a chip on my shoulder to do better this year,” said Lindwall, noting his goal is to win an individual state title. '(My goal) is to individual win state. I feel like I've worked really hard and played well enough to this point that if I have two good days I can pull it off.”

Lindwall edged West sophomore J.D. Goodfellow, who scored even-par 72 as runner-up medalist. Goodfellow also credited his putting, which complimented solid play off the tees.

'I'm happy with it,” Goodfellow said. 'I have some days when something clicks and goes well. Some days my driver is good, some days my irons are good and some days my chipping and putting are good.

'I just played pretty well and went out and hit the ball.”

Washington and West finished in a three-way tie for sixth with 323. West Des Moines Valley won the team race with 309, beating Dubuque Wahlert by two strokes.

Joe Slattery shot 80, Jake Patterson had 84 and Alex Slattery added an 88 for the Warriors. The Trojans received a 77 from Noah Federici and 87 apiece from Grant Higgins and Kyle Jenkins.

The Warriors will receive a much-needed break. After playing three highly-competitive 18-hole events in five days, Washington won't have another meet for nine days.

'I think we're a little tired,” Goettel said. 'It takes its toll a little bit.

'We have pretty good balance. If some guys slip, other guys pick them up.”

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