Martin contributing to Kennedy success

Mitch Martin personifies the ideals of the Cedar Rapids Kennedy golf tradition.

The returning Class 4A state runner-up focuses on peaking for the end of the season. As the postseason arrives for his senior season, Martin has been better than ever.

"Mitchell Martin is playing at the best level he's played at the last four years he's been here," Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said. "I'm really excited about that."

Martin has been a key member of the fifth-rated Cougars as they enter district play Tuesday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls. Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Washington, Cedar Rapids Xavier and Linn-Mar are also in the 13-team field.

Martin has earned medalist honors at least three times this season, averaging 39.4 for nine holes, according to Wilden. No matter what happens this week, Martin managed to end his prep career in style.

"It's good to play well in your senior year and leave a good memory at Kennedy," Martin said. "It shows how the hard work I put in through the four years of playing varsity golf is paying off now and I'm contributing to the team."

The Cougars have plenty of talent, including 2010 state meet teammates Cody Bell, who was fourth last year, Brigham Stewart, this year's Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet medalist who tied for 12th at state, and Harrison Moore. Bell leads Kennedy with a 37.9 nine-hole average with Stewart second on the team with 38.7. Moore is tied with Martin with a 39.4 scoring average.

 Martin is also mindful of the past tradition, and the players who have excelled in Kennedy colors before him.

"We've had a lot of great players to come through our program," Martin said. "There have been a lot of good guys who I try to set my goals around what they have done."

Martin said he open the season with a slow start, but tried to progress with each round. Now, he's playing at the top of his game when it matters most.

"You just learn from your mistakes ," said Martin, who was first at the rain-shortened final round of the MVC Mississippi Division meet with a 1-under par 34. "You try to improve your game throughout the season and then play your best golf at the end if the year."

Wilden said the entire season is geared for the two postseason meets, which could make or break the Cougars year. It is a result of the high price paid for lofty expectations every year. The idea is take care of business Tuesday.

"You kind of hope at this point you're playing your best golf," Wilden said. "Maybe it's wrong, but for us, if we don't qualify for state it seems like the whole season was a waste. Conversely, someone not playing very well, they might play well that one day (for district) and they go to state and that made their season.

"Basically, we want to complete ours and not make somebody else's."

The field is loaded with six teams ranked in the top 19. Xavier, ranked 10th, were Mississippi Valley Conference divisional champions ahead of No. 8 Cedar Falls and 19th-ranked Dubuque Hempstead. Linn-Mar, which is 11th, was runner-up to the Cougars in the MVC Mississippi Division, and Waterloo West is 14th. Kennedy will compete against them for one of three team berths to the two-round state meet at Finkbine in Iowa City on Friday and Saturday.

Martin said the "ultimate goal" is a state title and the Cougars are working hard for it. Wilden guaranteed Kennedy will have its best lineup on the tee at the district meet, needing a playoff for the final two spots.

"We're just trying to put together the six best guys," Wilden said. "I think we're going to have that on Tuesday."

Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa City High and Iowa City West will head to Glynn's Creek Golf Course in Eldridge to compete in a district hosted by North Scott.

In addition to the top three teams, the top four individuals, including all ties, advance to the state tournament.