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Rain falling on the American Legion Memorial Golf Course soaked the ground and washed away West Branch’s chance at a state title on Friday as the Iowa High School Athletic Association canceled day two of the 2A state golf meet.

The Bears finished a stroke ahead of Kuemper Catholic to claim the runner-up spot in the final team standings with a team score of 308 after one day of play in Marshalltown.

“The kids should be very proud of the fact that they made it to state,” coach Randy Sexton said. “I just wish we would have had a chance today to play, because I think we really could have had something more for Des Moines Christian today.

“In the end, last year we were satisfied to be at state, this year we made a statement. We put ourselves back on the map as West Branch – someone they’re going to have to deal with.”

Freshman Dylan Countryman was the runner-up medalist after shooting a three over par 72 on Thursday.

“We obviously wanted to win,” Countryman said. “We just had some bad luck with the weather. There’s really nothing you can do about it but come back stronger next year.”

Kolby Shackelford of Panorama was the individual state champion, finishing with 69 strokes. Des Moines Christian took the team title with a score of 304.

According to the IHSAA, this was the first time since 2000 that weather shortened a Spring state golf meet, and the first time since 1991 that multiple sites were unable to finish the two-day championship.

Countryman had a birdie on the fourth hole and another on the par-five 12th hole. He made par 11 times and did no worse than bogey on the day.

“I thought I played pretty well, my short game was pretty good,” Countryman said. “The driver was spraying a little on the first nine but I think I figured it out on the back nine and overall I played pretty well I think.”

Kaleb Sexton shot a 37 on the back nine to finish tied for eighth with a 77. Brady Lukavsky was one of four golfers to record three birdies in the meet. He finished tied for 17th with a 79.

Freshman Brady Knoop rounded out the Bears’ scoring with an 80.

Senior Ted Bridges had his career cut a day short by the weather, but finished by leading the Bears to state in each of the last two seasons.

“All four teams that I’ve been a part of have had something special, a special aspect,” Bridges reflected.

“This one was especially sweet, going to the state tournament and bringing home some hardware with us. A big disappointment, but at the end of the day we still got second place, which is a lot to be proud of. It will still be remembered for a long time at our school.”

Regina junior Nicholas Hein finished tied for 34th with 83 strokes.

Brandon McCarty finished tied for 23rd at the 3A meet in Fort Dodge. The Clear Creek-Amana junior had four birdies on the back nine to finish the day with a score of 78.

Beyond the game

One of the highlights of the weekend for West Branch had nothing to do with their play on the links.

“The thing that I’m going to remember with this group goes beyond what they did day in and day out on the golf course,” Sexton said.

“The fact that they are able to finish their varsity season with a record of 77-5 and finish second in the state tournament is an amazing accomplishment, but one of the things I’m going to remember about this group was post-tournament today, having a day to spend some time with the Williamsburg family. The boys got to meet Tate Schaefer, who they’ve supported a couple different times this year in various ways.”

Schaefer is an 11-year old with an inoperable tumor on his brain stem. He’s also a big golf fan and the son of Williamsburg coach Brad Schaefer.  

The West Branch players spent some time with Schaefer and took a photo together with the runner-up trophy.

“I think that was a really neat culmination of the season,” Sexton said. “Just the generosity of these kids throughout the years. You know the wins and losses come and go, but those kinds of things I’ll never forget.”

Learn more about Tate: Tater Tough

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2A Area Leaderboard | full standings

1. Kolby Shackelford, Panorama – 69

2. Dylan Countryman, West Branch – 72

T8. Kaleb Sexton, West Branch – 77

T17. Brady Lukavsky, West Branch – 79

T20. Brady Knoop, West Branch – 80

T28. Ted Bridges, West Branch – 81

T34. Nicholas Hein, Regina – 83

57. Evan O’Neil, West Branch – 92

3A Area Leaderboard | full standings

1. Brandon Larsen, West Delaware – 69

T23. Brandon McCarty, CCA – 78

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