KALONA

The Mid-Prairie boys golf club competed at the West Liberty Invitation on Tuesday, April 23, where they placed third – in a pool of nine other clubs – with a team collective score of 344, one stroke more than West Liberty for second.

West Branch took first place with a team score of 332.

Individually, senior Drew Schlabaugh led the Hawks with 78 strokes. Schlabaugh’s performance was good enough to rank third overall among all golfers. He was just one stroke behind the two golfers who tied for first place.

“[Schlabaugh’s] round was highlighted with a chip in eagle two on the par four 5th hole,” head coach Kelby Bender said. “He played really well on the front nine posting a one under par 35.”

Freshman Grayson Gingerich and sophomore Clayton Davidson tied with 88 strokes apiece, tying as the second-best performance among the Golden Hawks.

Sophomore Bryce Henry’s total was 90, junior Ace Peck’s was 92 and freshman Denver Nelson’s was 104.

Mid-Prairie vs. Wilton 4/25

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks dueled the Wilton Beavers on Thursday, April 25, at the Kalona Golf Course.

The Golden Hawks swept Wilton’s varsity and junior varsity clubs with a team score of 167-196 – varsity – and 199-228 – junior varsity.

Peck led the varsity club with a final tally of 37, earning a birdie along the way. This was Peck’s best finish so far this season.

“Ace Peck led the varsity with a personal best one over par 37,” Bender said. “He has been working really hard on his game. This round is great to see from him.”

After a rough patch at West Liberty, Nelson bounced back, placing second behind Peck with a tally of 41.

“Denver also made six pars on his way to a 41,” Bender said. “This was a great bounce back round for him after not having the round he wanted at the West Liberty Invitational.”

Schlabaugh tallied 43, Gingerich 46, Henry 51 and Davidson 58.

“[I am] really pleased with how we played as a team today,” Bender said. “Top to bottom a lot of good golf and personal bests were shot. It is exciting to see all of the improvement. They have been working really hard.”

For JV, Andrew Rath and Ethan Schlabaugh led the Hawks with 48 a piece. Carson Pence was right behind with 50, owning the sole birdie for junior varsity golfers.

Additionally, Lukin Rediger had 53, Jacob Debler 56 and Elijah Statler 62.

Mid-Prairie vs. West Liberty 4/29

It was yet another sweep for the junior varsity/varsity Mid-Prairie golf clubs.

While hosting the West Liberty Comets at the Kalona Golf Course for a dual on Monday, April 29, the Golden Hawk varsity club won 170-172 in a close bout.

“Overall, it was another great day for us,” Bender said. “The varsity is showing some versatility.  Each meet, it is a different group playing well and scoring for us.  Six varsity golfers have all been either medalist or runner up in a meet this year.  It is great to see them step up and play well.”

The Golden Hawk junior varsity club won 190-199.

“The JV is showing a lot of improvement and depth.  They are putting up really good individual and team scores,” Bender said.

Grayson Gingerich led the Hawks with a score of 39. Ace Peck and Bryce Henry followed with 43 a piece and Denver Nelson finished with 45.

Also competing was Clayton Davidson with a score of 46 and Andrew Rath with a score of 53.

Peck and Nelson both earned one birdie a piece on route to quelling the Comets.

Upcoming matches:

Mid-Prairie will head to Muscatine on Wednesday, May 1, for a tournament set at 11 a.m..

Then, the Hawks will return home for a dual against Durant on Monday, May 6, with a start time of 4 p.m..

Finally, Mid-Prairie will host the 2A sectionals on Tuesday, May 7, with a start time of 10 a.m..