Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The grass isn’t all green and the trees aren’t yet full of leaves but the weather is warming and that means golf season is here.

High School action officially started around the state with competition this week with area teams getting fully into the swing next week.

As the courses continue to take shape and the temperatures continue to climb individuals begin working toward the ultimate goal of playing at the state championships on May 23-24.

Before the seasons really gets rolling here is a look at five of the top players in the Your Prep Sports Area this season. 

Brandon McCarty

Junior, Clear Creek Amana

McCarty emerged as one of the top young players in the state last spring with a breakthrough sophomore season that ended with a top-10 finish at the Class 3A state meet.

A first-team all-conference performer after a runner-up finish at the WAMAC Super Meet, McCarty finished in a tie for eighth at the 3A state meet with a 36-hole score of 153.

The two-day, nine-over-par performance by McCarty is third best among returning golfers from last year’s Class 3A state meet field.

Ted Bridges

Senior, West Branch

Another golfer that established himself as one of the state’s best last season Bridges returns for his final season as a state title contender in Class 2A.

Bridges won his first River Valley Conference title last season and closed his breakthrough junior campaign by placing sixth at the Class 2A state meet.

Bridges carded a nine-over-par 149 at the state meet at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown to finish five strokes back of state champion Bo Weissenfluh.

Only one other returning player in the 2A field last season posted a better score the Bridges.

Brady Lukavsky

Senior, West Branch

A four-sport athlete who is also a starter in football, basketball and baseball Lukavsky may just be at his best on the golf course.

He closed his junior season playing the best golf of his career placing third to help West Branch to a team title at the Class 2A district meet before posting a 35th place finish at the 2A state meet.

Lukavsky shot a 162 at the state meet highlighted by a final-round 80.

Mark Schomer

Junior, Regina

The top golfer in the Regina lineup since his freshman season Schomer made his state meet debut a year ago after placing fourth at the district meet with an 80.

Schomer shot a 167 to finish 44th at the Class 2A state meet and will look to build on that experience this season.

Joe Stahle

Junior, Solon

After spending a year learning from a strong group of upperclassmen Stahle gets his shot at taking one of the top spots in the Solon lineup.

A varsity regular a year ago, Stahle shot a 95 at the WAMAC Super Meet and qualified for the district meet.

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