Xavier’s Martin made putting routine

CEDAR RAPIDS - Sam Martin owns a detail-oriented and specific approach when he prepares to putt.

Once on the green, the Cedar Rapids Xavier sophomore surveys the putting surface from all angles. He takes his time and occasionally glances at others' putts for hints.

'I usually walk around the hole so I can get look on the back side of it,” Martin said. 'Then I usually walk along my putt just to feel the ground. It helps a lot. A 360 (degree) look around the hole helps.”

The deliberate routine has served him well. Martin's putter was a key factor in claiming medalist honors at the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division meet with even-par 63 Tuesday at Airport National Golf Course. Cedar Rapids Washington bested the Saints by three strokes for the team title and forced a tie atop the divisional standings before the final round Sept. 29.

Martin said he considers his putter the strength of his game, merging it solid tee shots. He didn't doubt his routine or ability when it was time to close the hole.

'I kept draining long putts,” Martin said. 'I was really confident when I made it to the green.”

Repetition is important in golf. Martin has used it to avoid unnecessary shots.

'You just get in that routine,” Xavier Coach Tim O'Brien said. 'It helps because you're not throwing strokes away.”

Martin torched the front nine at 3-under 29, carding four birdies and an eagle. He needed just two strokes on the par-4 No. 5 hole, driving the green and sinking a 20-foot putt. A good start set the tone.

'I thought I had a good round going right off the bat,” Martin said. 'That is always nice.”

O'Brien said Martin has been steady all year. He has complemented captain Jordan Even well while the Saints have been short-handed due to illness. Martin will look to build off the performance and medalist honors in Xavier's previous meet.

'He's never really shot a high number,” O'Brien said. 'He is very consistent. He knows his game well.”

Even had 68, Brody Robinson added 69 and Matt Neumeyer shot 70, but it wasn't enough to overcome Washington.

The Warriors recorded a team score of 267, erasing Xavier's advantage after last month's MVC Super Meet. Frank Lindwall and Jake Patterson paced Washington, tying for runner-up medalist at 1-over 64. Will Jackson and Jabe Gonder added 68 and 71, respectively.

Similar to last year's state tournament team, the Warriors continue to progress along with the season. Even though Lindwall remains Washington's top performer almost every meet, Patterson has played a big role.

'Jake is a reason we have gotten better the last week or two,” Washington Coach Dennis Goettel said. 'He's gotten more focused and really worked hard on his game between meets. It is showing.”

Patterson shot even-par 31 on the back nine, carding birdies at the 10th, 15th and 18th holes.

'He made some great shots out there today,” Goettel said. 'he takes a lot of pride in what he's doing. It's really helped our team score since he got back down close to par.”

Cedar Rapids Prairie was third with 271. The Hawks were led by Mitch Lorenz, who shot 66. Cal Clark followed with 67. Matt Lorenz and Cooper Reittinger rounded out the scoring with 68 and 70.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CONFERENCE

MISSISSIPPI DIVISIONAL MEET

At Airport National

(par 64)

Teams - 1. C.R. Washington 267, 2. C.R. Xavier 270, 3. C.R. Prairie 271, 4. Dubuque Hempstead 301, 5. Waterloo West 309, 6. Iowa City High 311, 7. Waterloo East no score.

Two-round team totals - 1. (tie) C.R. Washington and C.R. Xavier 572, 3. C.R. Prairie 591, 4. Dubuque Hempstead 638, 5. Waterloo West 659, 6. Iowa City High 662, 7. Waterloo East no score

Individuals - 1. Sam Martin (CRX), 63, 2. (tie) Frank Lindwall (CRW) and Jake Patterson (CRW), 64, 4. Mitch Lorenz (CRP), 66, 5. Cal Clark (CRP), 67.

C.R. Washington (267): Lindwall 64, Patterson 64, Will Jackson 68, Jabe Gonder 71

C.R. Xavier (270): Martin 63, Jordan Even 68, Brody Robinson 69, Matt Neumeyer 70

C.R. Prairie (271): Lorenz 66, Clark 67, Matt Lorenz 68, Cooper Reittinger 70

Iowa City High (311): Garrett Highly 71, Ben Morony 79, Tyler Courtney 79, Calvin Greenberg 82

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