Tourneys give Panthers 18-hole tests

     Monticello gained some valuable experience with 18-hole tournament last week, as those comprised two of the three boys golf events in which the Panthers competed.

     First up was the Blazer Invitational in Dyersville April 17, where the Panthers placed fourth out of six teams, with a score of 360.

     “That was a pretty good score for us,” Monticello coach Curt Tauke said. “We made some strides forward. Our top three played bogey golf or less, which is what we’ve been trying to do.”

     Aaron Gearhart took 10^th place overall with an 85, Kegan Arduser shot 88, and Nash Sutterman came in with a 90.

     The coach pointed out that last year’s state tournament Panther team scored 353 in that same tournament a year ago.

     “We keep improving, and keep working hard,” he said.

     The Panthers traveled to Valley Oaks in Clinton to face Camanche April 18, and lost 173 to 180. Camanche had just seven golfers, so Monticello had seven golfers play varsity. Monticello did have four scores in the 40s, as Gearhart shot 43, Hunter Kramer 44, Arduser 45 and Sutterman 48.

     “We’re not quite there yet, but those are pretty respectable,” Tauke said.

     Monticello got the opportunity to play on an 18-hole course (instead of the same nine twice) April 22 at Pin Oak in Manchester, playing in the West Delaware Invitational. The Panthers finished ninth in the tournament, but had three scores in double digits. Gearhart again led the team, with an 88. Arduser shot 92 and Sutterman had 98.

     “It was really good competition for our kids,” Tauke said. “We didn’t play as well as we want, but got experience with playing an 18-hole course.”

April 17

Blazer Inv.

(at Dyersville)

TEAM CARDS

     1, West Delaware 312; 2, Dyersville Beckman 330; 3, Maquoketa 349; 4, Monticello 360; 5, Bellevue 375; 6, Cascade 379.

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Aaron Gearhart 42-43–85 (10^th place), Kegan Arduser 41-47–88, Nash Sutterman 45-45–90, Hunter Kramer 49-48–97, Kirklen Kiburz 50-49–99, Daltyn Kramer 56-58–114. Medalist: Trent Shaw, West Delaware, 73.

April 18

(at Valley Oaks, Clinton)

Camanche 173,

Monticello 180

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Aaron Gearhart 43, Hunter Kramer 44, Kegan Arduser 45, Nash Sutterman 48, Trevor Beitz 50, Daltyn Kramer 51, Kirklen Kiburz 56. Medalist: Ethan Snyder, Camanche, 38.

April 22

W. Delaware Inv.

(at Pin Oak, Manchester)

TEAM CARDS

     1, West Delaware A 318; 2, Solon 325; 3, East Buchanan 328; 4, Waterloo Columbus 346; 5, West Delaware B 360; 6, Vinton-Shellsburg 364; 7, Independence 380*; 8, Waverly-Shell Rock 380; 9, Monticello 387.

* – won by fifth score rule

MONTICELLO CARDS

     Aaron Gearhart 41-47–88, Kegan Arduser 46-46–92, Nash Sutterman 54-44–98, Hunter Kramer 50-59–109, Kirklen Kiburz 50-60–110, Daltyn Kramer 50-62–112. Medalist: Mike DeLong, Vinton-Shellsburg, 72.