Williamsburg looks for sixth straight state berth

Williamsburg coach Brad Schaefer needed to contact a few of his golfers.

The task turned out to be quite easy. When you have a team like the Raiders, the safe bet is they will be together and likely near the links.

'They love to be around each other,” Schaefer said. 'They hang out together. They play golf together. Every Saturday and Sunday when I drive up to the course, I see their vehicles.”

The passion for golf, the hard work and a strong chemistry has helped Williamsburg continue its boys' golf success. The Raiders return to the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A district, looking for their sixth straight state berth Friday at Bos Landen Golf Club in Pella.

Golf is considered an individual sport, but good luck convincing the Raiders of that idea. They are a tight-knit group that prefers enjoying the time together.

'We have a lot of fun with each other, whether it's golf, by ourselves or at school,” Williamsburg senior Jackson Subbert said. 'We're always with each other or by one another, having a good time.”

Those bonds have made an impact on this season. The Raiders were devoted to improvement between seasons, competing in more summer tournaments and even working with swing coaches during private lessons.

'The boys really put in a lot of time and effort in the off-season,” Schaefer said. 'It really paid dividends.”

Last year's state finish added a little fuel to the fire. Williamsburg was last in the nine-team field. The focus is to return and get a little redemption.

'We didn't do too well at state,” Williamsburg senior Dillon VanEtten said. 'We wanted to put as much time as we could in the off-season, so we could improve, make it back there and hopefully finish better.”

The Raiders have a streak at stake, dating back to 2010. The last two senior classes have never ended the season before the state meet. Subbert and senior Zach Buch have played in the last three state tournaments, while VanEtten has a starter in 2013 and 2014.

'It would be great,” Subbert said of qualifying again. 'I think we all know how lucky we are to have gone there three times and a lot of people don't make it on great teams. Just to cap it off with one our senior year would be a great way to go out.”

Schaefer said the team doesn't talk about it because they all know the goal in the back of their minds. Buck said it is important to keep the streak alive.

'We want to keep going back,” said Buch, a first-team all-Wamac performer this season. 'It's something to keep going. We're looking forward to making it again and pass it along to the younger guys.”

Williamsburg returned five of its top six golfers from last year, keeping expectations high. The Raiders have meshed experience with a group of younger golfers. All have contributed this season, providing balance. Williamsburg ranks in the top-10 of 3A with a 320 18-hole team average, including seven golfers with rounds of 83 or better.

'I just think our depth is such an advantage,” Schaefer said. 'We have had all our kids, one through six, score for us.”

Williamsburg was the sectional runner-up, finishing two shots back of Centerville. The field also includes host Pella, sectional champion Norwalk and Knoxville. The Raiders have had close battles with Norwalk and Knoxville already this season. They have the benefit of past success in highly competitive districts.

'We've been there before, so you're not as nervous,” VanEtten said. 'You know what to expect. You can just go out and golf. It helps a lot.”

The Raiders are excited for the challenge. After all, they will be together and on the course at least one more time.

'We're always focused on getting to state,” Buch said. 'That is our No. 1 goal throughout the season. (Friday) is a big day. We're all pretty pumped and ready to go.”

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