Perfection can go by many names and after Hillcrest defeated Lone Tree in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference dual on May 8, the word perfection can now be associated with a Raven. 

After six duals, two triangulars, and two tournaments, the 2023 Hillcrest Ravens boys golf team finishes its season with an unblemished record of 28-0. This 2023 Ravens squad becomes the first undefeated regular season golf team in Hillcrest school history.  

This dual against Hillcrest at the Kalona Golf Course was also Lone Tree’s final contest of the season and with the loss, the Lions finished its season with a 4-30 record overall and a 4-28 conference record. 

The final score of this dual was 157-231, in Hillcrest’s favor. The top performance for the Lions came from Oliver Altenhofen who carded a 48. He was followed by the next highest scoring Lions, Dominic Graap and Lukas Furmeister, who scored 57 and 59 respectively.  

The Ravens would take medalist and runner up medalist honors in this conference dual. 

Hillcrest freshman, Rowan Miller, would earn his second straight first place finish. His score of 37 after nine holes played would give him the top spot in this dual. On route to his dual leading 37 points, Miller would sink in two birdies on the day. 

Also finishing with a score under 40 was Hillcrest senior Luke Schrock. Luke would end this conference contest with a score of 38 to earn runner up medalist honors. He would stay consistent during this dual, sinking in seven pars and two bogeys after nine holes of play. 

Posting identical scores for Hillcrest was senior, Jace Rempel, and sophomore, Seth Ours. Both Rempel and Ours would record scores of 41. 

“It feels really good to be able to pull through and win but it’s important to keep that leverage and keep our heads going into sectionals. Keep playing well,” Rempel told KCII after the dual with Lone Tree.

Rounding out the scoring for Hillcrest was senior Josiah Beachy. Beachy finished the meet with a score of 53. Beachy is one of three seniors on this year’s Hillcrest team and the camaraderie of this group is a big reason why they have played so well this season.

“This group is pretty special. We’re really tight,” Beachy told KCII about what type of bond this Hillcrest team has. “We all play all of the sports together. We’re really good friends with each other. It’s a really fun group to be a part of.”

Hillcrest’s final score of 157 was its lowest round of nine at home this season and it was its fourth lowest round of nine this year. 

Central Lee Invitational

It was an early weekend morning for Hillcrest when they traveled to the Green Acres Country Club to compete in the Central Lee Invitational on May 6. This was an 18-hole invitational Central Lee host every year and it kicked off at 7:30 am. 

Despite the bright and early start to this tournament Hillcrest continued to do what they have done all season, win. Out of a field of eight teams the Ravens emerged victorious with a team score of 316, with second place going to Fort Madison who posted a final score of 330. 

This was the second 18-hole event Hillcrest has played this year and they were led by meet champion freshman Rowan Miller. Miller ended this meet, out of a field of 25 competitors, with a first place score of 75, which was just three over par overall.

Not just satisfied with taking the top spot the Ravens also secured runner-up medalist honors. Senior Jace Rempel finished this meet just a single stroke behind Miller with a score of 76 to take second place. 

As a team Hillcrest carded a 160 on the front nine and then improved upon that on the back nine with a 156 to arrive at its final score of 316. This score was even better than the 322 they posted in its first 18-hole meet on May 3. 

Coming in at fifth place was Hillcrest sophomore Liam Schrock. Liam ended his day with a score of 81, just one stroke behind the third place score of 80 posted by Central Lee freshman Caleb Larson. 

Liam’s brother, Luke Schrock, would also earn a top ten placement. Luke, a senior, would score 84 to finish in eighth place.  

With an unbeaten record and a conference championship in tow the Ravens (28-0) traveled to the Knoll Ridge Country Club in North English on May 10 and  competed in the 1A Sectionals against six other teams. The Ravens entered these sectionals with the intention of advancing to Districts for the third consecutive year.