Xavier’s Bertsch and Winker finish golf careers on a high note

AMES - It was the perfect sendoff for Cedar Rapids Xavier seniors Maddie Bertsch and Grace Winker, who finished first and second in the Class 4A girls' state golf tournament.

For Bertsch, walking off the final green gave her a sense of accomplishment and was able to take a breath for the first time in a couple days.

'It was just a relief to be done. It was great,” Bertsch said. 'I was just so excited to sign my scorecard and turn it in.”

Heading in to the final round of action, Bertsch was four strokes ahead of Winker and felt like she was playing comfortably. For this to be her final go at the state tournament, Bertsch said it was extra special being a senior.

The duo's finish was a goal which had been planned out for years, Winker said. The two's finale allowed them to come full circle as golfers.

'Maddie and I have been playing together for four years, so this has been a nice finish for us,” Winker said. 'It was our goal since we were little freshmen to finish strong like this.”

Winker was in the passenger seat during the tournament, finishing with a 78 in both rounds, just three strokes behind Bertsch. Winker said the Saint's 22-stroke lead after the first round gave them a gap large enough to play intelligently.

'It relaxed us more so we played with less pressure,” Winker said. 'We still played fine, there was just less to worry about.”

VanDyk brings home second-straight 3A title

Paige VanDyk birdied her final hole as a senior, walked off the green and hugged her father, knowing she had won the Class 3A girls' golf title for the second-straight year.

The South Tama native was the defending state champion and said this year's victory was much more rewarding than last year's because she was able to finish the entire 36-hole tournament. The 2013 state championship ended after just 18 holes because of rain.

'It was solid competition and a lot more challenging for me,” VanDyk said. 'I like that and not just having it given to me.”

As her father and coach, VanDyk said being a senior and having dad right next to her the whole way made for a very rewarding experience.

'Having my dad there by my side made it good for me,” VanDyk said.

l Comments: stephen.koenigsfeld@thegazettecompany.com