Panthers shine in home meets

     The Monticello Panthers had been building for a week like last week.

     The Panther boys golf team brought its team score into the 170s for the first time this season for a nine-hole meet, and followed that up with a runner-up finish in the Monticello Invitational, shooting 343.

     “We saw some good progress by our team (last) week,” Monticello coach Curt Tauke said.

     That started with a home dual meet April 30 against North Cedar, in which the Panthers shot 176 and the visiting Knights had 205. It was Monticello’s best nine-hole score of the season so far.

     Leading the way was senior Kegan Arduser, who had a 41.

     “Kegan’s really starting to come around,” Tauke said. “He started to see some shots go well for him, and started to build from those.”

     Justin Recker shot 44, Connor Lambert had 45, while Nash Sutterman and Bo Kramer each had 46.

     The runner-up finish in the May 2 Monticello Invitational was the result of a tie-breaker. Marion won the meet with 330, as Monticello, Dyersville Beckman and Tipton all tied for second with scores of 343.

     Ties are broken in the tournament by going to the fifth golfer’s score, and Connor Lambert’s 91 wound up being the difference.

     “I liked our balance, and I liked our depth,” Tauke said. “That really became a factor. We usually have good competition there, and it’s hard to get first or second.”

     Another factor was the Panthers’ ability to finish strong after sitting in fourth place through nine holes.

     “Some of them struggled on the first nine,” Tauke said, “but they talked to me, and basically said, ‘I’m going to fight.’ I liked their attitude. It’s a long enough event where you can battle back.”

     Panthers who improved on the back nine included Nash Sutterman, Bo Kramer, Daltyn Kramer and Recker.

     On May 4, the Panthers traveled to Woods Edge in Edgewood to face Ed-Co, and lost 170 to 185. Lambert led Monticello with a 43, his best-ever varsity score.

Big week ahead

     The Panthers have an important week ahead, including the River Valley Conference Tournament May 9 in Muscatine, and the Class 2A sectional meet May 10 in Dyersville.   

April 30

(at Monticello)

Monticello 176,

North Cedar 205

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Kegan Arduser 41, Justin Recker 44, Connor Lambert 45, Nash Sutterman 46, Bo Kramer 46, Hunter Kramer 48, Ty Kehoe 49, Daltyn Kramer 54.

May 2

Monticello Inv.

North Cedar 205

TEAM CARDS

     1, Marion 330; 2, Monticello 343*; 3, Dyersville Beckman 343*; 4, Tipton 343; 5, Cascade 353; 6, North Cedar 377; 7, Camanche 397.

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Kegan Arduser 39-43–82, Nash Sutterman 43-40–83, Justin Recker 46-42–88, Bo Kramer 47-43–90, Connor Lambert 45-46–91, Daltyn Kramer 47-45–92. Medalist: Race Cuckler, Cascade, 37-39–76.

May 4

(at Woods Edge,

Edgewood)

Ed-Co 170,

Monticello 185

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Connor Lambert 43, Kegan Arduser 45, Daltyn Kramer 48, Justin Recker 49. Nash Sutterman 53, Bo Kramer 59.

JUNIOR VARSITY RESULT

(two scores per team)

     Monticello 106, Ed-Co 114. Monticello cards: Grahm Schneiter 52, Kirklen Kiburz 54.