Murdock tops Cougar teammates

CEDAR RAPIDS — Odd numbered years have been kind to Cole Murdock.

Murdock won the novice division of the Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys' Golf Tournament in 2011 and now in 2013 won the open division Friday at Elmcrest Country Club.

'I've been playing good all summer and it feels good to finally come out with a win,' said Murdock, a junior at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. 'I hadn't been able to pull one out, but it feels good to finally be able to do it.'

Murdock's 72-hole total of 293 bested Kennedy teammates Conner Koberg and Davis Sutton, who totaled 296 and 300, respectively. Murdock held a one-stroke advantage entering the final round and shot 70 Friday for the three-stroke victory.

Murdock was looking forward to playing the final round with his teammates after the pairings were announced.

'(Conner and I) made the turn at two-under par, and we were battling on the back side all the way through,' Murdock said. 'It was fun golf to play and will make us better throughout the season.'

Koberg was on Murdock's heels throughout the day, and the pair made big shots right alongside each other. After seeing Koberg make birdie on 14, Murdock saved par to stay out in front of his teammate.Although Murdock birdied the 17th, he said his most important shots happened on No. 15 when he parred the hole and maintained his lead.

'I chunked a shot, hit the tree and (it) bounced back at me,' Murdock said. 'I had to punch out and then I went up and down from 100 yards, which was probably bigger than the birdie on 17.'

Murdock is hoping this showing by the Kennedy golfers carries over to the fall season.

'To end on a win going right into the season feels great,' Murdock said. 'It gives me a lot of confidence going into the high school season and hopefully we can do big things this year.'