Grundy Center boys golf books state return

CEDAR FALLS – The Grundy Center boys golf team will return to the state tournament later this week after winning a district meet at Pheasant Ridge in Cedar Falls last Friday.
 
The Spartans will begin play at Westwood Golf Course in Newton on Thursday, May 23, the site of Grundy Center's state championship victory at last season's Class 1A meet. Play concludes on Friday, May 24.
 
At Pheasant Ridge, the Spartans turned in a 334 as district champions, 13 strokes better than runner-up Bishop Garrigan, with both teams heading to state. AGWSR was 11 strokes out of a team qualifying spot with a 358 and BCLUW finished ninth as a team with a 391.
 
"Our seniors had such a great experience a year ago in Newton winning a state championship that a return trip was the focus of their efforts this year," Grundy Center head coach Dennis Dirks said. "Our new opportunity now becomes the challenging Westwood course in Newton and I know our seniors are looking forward to the return trip."
 
One of those seniors, Andy Cox, led the way for the Spartans with an 80 at Pheasant Ridge last Friday. Freshman Ashton Martens followed with an 81, Matthew Sternhagen shot 86, Dexter Whitehill 87, Travis Kuester 96 and Tanner Appel 97.
 
AGWSR's Alex Hames missed an individual qualifying spot by three strokes, leading the Cougars with an 83. Ethan Streicher of Edgewood-Colesburg and Braden Lensing of South Winneshiek shot 75 and 80, respectively, to qualify as individuals from non-qualifying teams.
 
Lane Stanley led the BCLUW boys with an 87, finishing tied for 12th overall in the individual standings.