Photo courtesy Ryan Slater

Our Sectionals’ margin on Monday, May 11, at the Legend Trail Golf Club in Parkersburg was razor thin as we expected it to be. The Knights two year quest to edge out Hudson at a meet finally materialized and even though the margin could not have been smaller – we will take it. We were once again led by Junior Mack Schmitz who somehow found another gear in the high heat. He has had some good rounds for us all season but was able to finish it off on this day when it meant the most. In the end he found himself in a playoff with Hudson’s No. 1 player, Caleb Ham, after they both shot a 75. On the first playoff hole Mack hit a beautiful pitch from the rough that landed in front of the green and rolled to 3 feet. He was then able to hole the putt and put an exclamation mark on a career best round. Junior Ty Lorenzen opened with a lackluster 44, but played the backside in just one over par to bring in a solid 81. Senior Josef Schmitz once again relied on his steady short game to shoot 83 and Senior TJ Freeland rounded us out with an 86 to help us edge Hudson by a single stroke. We thought we had the meet won, but A/P’s No. 5 player Garrett Hempen brought an 80 in late to edge us by one. Since they were the host team, three teams were able to advance to the District Meet on Monday, May 16, at State Center. It should be another dog fight as we will all be joined by a Des Moines Christian team that shot a 310 at their sectional. Denver’s Clayton Liddle won Medalist Honors with a fine round of 74. He along with Dike New Hartford’s Freshmen Carson Costello who shot 79 were able to advance individually to Districts as well.

Team Results

1) A/P 324

2) Union 325

3) Hudson 326

4) Denver 338

5) DNH 344

6) East Marshall 395

7) South Hardin 413

8) Alburnett 433

All-Sectional Team

1) Clayton Liddle 74 (Denver) (Medalist)

2) Mack Schmitz 75 (Union) (Runner-Up Medalist)

3) Caleb Ham 75 (Hudson)

4) Carson Costello (79) DNH

Will Steege (79) A/P