OTTUMWA —
Much has happened since Matt Walker competed in his first Class 4A state championship nearly a year ago.
The Bulldogs’ legendary coach Mike Cardin stepped down and Scott Maas — assistant principal at Ottumwa High School — took over the reins of the program. Walker has become the leader, accomplishment-wise, of the golf program, finishing with top individual round at both district, he shot a par 70; and the Metro Conference 7 meet, he carded a 143; not to mention a slew of first place finishes at numerous duals and invitationals.
Yet, one thing didn’t change: The entire Ottumwa team is once again heading to the state tournament. The boys will attempt to win the 12th state championship in the programs’ storied history when they compete at the Tournament Club of Iowa Golf Course Friday and Saturday in Polk City. The Bulldogs have not only won 11 state crowns, they also have either won the tournament or finished second on 18 different occasions. One more finish in the top 10 would equal a mark set by Des Moines Roosevelt.
Walker isn’t the only one with state tourney experience on this year’s squad, either. Sophomores Braxton Coble and Dillon Patritto and senior Joe Wetrich also competed in last at state last season — Coble finished with the lowest round on the team, carding a 159 and finishing 16th overall. Walker finished two strokes behind him with a 161.
This time the four Bulldog linksters will be joined by senior Jacob Gardner and junior Hoyt Grooms. Gardner finished with the second lowest round among his teammates at districts, carding a 78 and Grooms shot the lowest individual round in the first half of the Metro 7 Conference Meet with a one-over-par 71.
Ottumwa’s season has followed a pattern that closely resembles what transpired near the end of last season. For example, Walker, like Christian Archer last season (albeit without the made-for-Hollywood ending that featured Archer sinking a 50-foot birdie putt to win win a sudden-death playoff) posted the lowest individual score at districts. In addition, Ottumwa’s second place finish at districts also mirrors last year’s events.
The 75-person field at state is filled with a lot of familiar faces as well. Nine of the 12 teams, including defending state champion West Des Moines Valley; who will compete at state also qualified for the tournament last season. Eight of the 12 teams have won at least one team title.
Valley’s Jeff Swegle, this fall’s top rated golfer will look to become the first two-time medalist since 1986. He shot a 144 at last year’s tourney.
Aside from qualifying for state and winning their conference meet, the Bulldogs can boast of several other accomplishments this season, including a stretch where they won three straight tournaments: Marshalltown, Burlington and Southeast Polk Invitationals. But winning a state championship would be a fitting end to what has already been a special season.
To have a chance at winning, the boys will have to tame a challenging golf course designed by golf icon Arnold Palmer.
“It’s going to test everybody and separate the good teams from the bad teams,” Maas previously said.
The players will tee-off at noon Friday and at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Teams: Ankeny, Ames, Bettendorf, Dowling Catholic, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Johnston, Muscatine, Ottumwa, Pleasant Valley, West Des Moines Valley, Cedar Rapids Xavier.
Individual Qualifiers: Jared Deines (Cedar Falls), Britton Vanderlinden (Indianola), and Bobby Wolfe (Eldrige)
Sports
October 4, 2012
Bulldog golfers take the big stage
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