A sizzling start: Panthers show depth, talent in two wins


Connor Lambert chips onto the first green for the Panthers in the season-opening win over Northeast of Goose Lake April 5 at the Monticello Golf Club. (Photo by Pete Temple)
BOYS GOLF
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     Monticello High School boys golf coach Curt Tauke could not have asked for a better opening to the 2021 season for the Panthers.

     The team shot 160 in a 46-stroke victory over Northeast of Goose Lake to open the season April 5 at the Monticello Golf Club. The next day, the Panthers bettered it, defeating North Cedar 159 to 184 at the 3-30 Golf Club in Lowden.

     “It was a really good way to start the year for us, especially after a year off,” coach Tauke said. “We had a senior-oriented group and a real strong nucleus. That’s good, but it doesn’t give you any guarantees. The guys were very businesslike in terms of their approach.”

     Ty Kehoe shot a one-over par 37 to win medalist honors at the home meet.

     “That’s fantastic,” Tauke said. “To have our third guy be meet medalist just makes us that much stronger.”

     Justin Recker, Connor Lambert and Bo Kramer each shot 41 to round out the team scoring. Freshman Blaine Brighton just missed having his score count, with a 42, and Kaden Kiburz shot 45.

     “To have six guys who we know can have a counting score takes the pressure off everybody,” the coach said.

     As impressive as the home win was, the victory against North Cedar might have been more so.

     “If you were to tell me we’d shoot one stroke better, on a course away from home, I’d have taken that bet for sure,” Tauke said.

     Lambert was the medalist in that one, with a 37, and Recker shot 39. All six of the Panther scores were 43 or better.

     “It’s nice to be able to have such depth,” the coach said. “This team has a good cohesiveness. They get along, they like to play golf, and they know what they’re capable of.”

     The Panthers also performed well in the junior varsity meet against North Cedar, winning 194 to 277. Sophomore Rylan Kraus was meet medalist with a 47, followed by Ethan Long with a 48, Cole Welter 49, Riley Manternach 50, Calvin Prull 51 and Easton Prull 53.

     “They did real well, considering I don’t think any of them had played that course before,” Tauke said.

     A tournament at Edgewood-Colesburg that was scheduled for April 10 was postponed to April 17 due to rain.

     

April 5

(at Monticello G.C.)

Monticello 160,

Northeast 206

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Ty Kehoe 37 (medalist), Justin Recker 41 (co-runner-up), Connor Lambert 41 (co-runner-up), Bo Kramer 41 (co-runner-up), Blaine Brighton 42, Kaden Kiburz 45.

 

April 6

(at 3-30 G.C., Lowden)

Monticello 159,

North Cedar 184

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Connor Lambert 37 (medalist), Justin Recker 39 (runner-up), Ty Kehoe 41, Blaine Brighton 42, Bo Kramer 43, Kaden Kiburz 43.

JUNIOR VARSITY RESULT

     Monticello 194, North Cedar 277. Monticello cards: Rylan Kraus 47 (medalist), Ethan Long 48 (runner-up), Cole Welter 49, Riley Manternach 50, Calvin Prull 51, Easton Prull 53.

 

Category:

Subscriber Login