NEW SHARON – Cold, wind and dampness did not lessen the intensity of the Class 1A regional golf championships at Prairie Knolls Golf Course in New Sharon. North Mahaska junior Aly Steil qualified for the state meet placing sixth with an 87. As a team, North Mahaska was fifth, one stroke behind BGM.
The state met takes the top two teams from each regional and the top six individuals. Steil was the sixth selection. East Buchanan, who posted a 356 was team champion and Highland was runnerup with a 370. Martensdale-St. Marys was third with 387 followed by BGM (401) and NM (400). North Tama was sixth with 411 and Central City shot 431.
Steil returns to the state meet at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown. She was 33rd overall in 2023 with 190. At Wednesday’s state qualifier she fired a 43-44 – 87 to make the state field as an individual.
Jocelyn Pinkerton was second for North Mahaska with a 90, Elise Westercamp shot 106 and Lacey Campbell carded a 118. Addison VanderBeek recorded her first career birdie to finish with a 119 and senior Breckyn Schilling closed out her career with a 122. Campbell had one of the shots of the day striking a 70-foot shot within a foot of the hole for a short putt.
Steil said she continues to learn from each round.
“It was cold, but wasn’t that bad,” said Steil. “There were a lot of good girls here today and they were hitting the ball well. Once I settled in, I felt good. The first few holes I could have started out a lot better, my putting kind of got me. I learned my lessons from the last holes and settled into my round.”
The game of golf can have its aggravating moments and Steil encountered one of those moments on a drive.
“I hit my drive straight into a tree trunk and had to take an unplayable,” said Steil. “I didn’t even have a chance to hit the ball. I plan to work on my drives between now and state.”
For the rest of the golfing squad, it was the end of the high school competitive season. NM Coach Al Hodgeman was pleased with the results of the season.
“This group is basically a second-year team,” said Hodgeman. “They went 27-7 in dual meets, won the conference title and made it to the second round of regionals. Then to have a state qualifier for the second year in a row. I am so proud of them.
“We had some really good teams here today. East Buchanan and Highland both have good golf programs.”
Hodgeman said golf can be a challenge.
“I saw this earlier this year, ‘Golf is not for the faint of heart,’” said Hodgeman. “If you play golf you are going to fail. It challenges you emotionally. But you take the little victories and grow from them. Addie’s birdie and Lacey’s shot, you take those little moments of victory.
Steil will enter the state meet on Thursday and Friday. Tee time Thursday is 9 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Friday.
