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Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Kylie Wachtl records first hole-in-one at CRANDIC golf meet
Hawks freshman ties for runner-up honors; Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp, Cedar Rapids Washington claim individual and team titles
K.J. Pilcher
Apr. 17, 2024 6:49 pm, Updated: Apr. 17, 2024 7:39 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Prairie freshman Kylie Wachtl hesitated to approach the hole.
Positive she had hit her golf ball farther, she didn’t want to look silly if she was mistaken. With her ball nowhere in sight, Wachtl inspected the cup and discovered a pleasant surprise.
“I thought I’d look stupid if it wasn’t there,” Wachtl said. “It was a shock. I didn’t think it was in there.”
Wachtl carded her first hole-in-one with an ace on the par-4 No. 9 hole during the CRANDIC girls’ golf meet Wednesday at Twin Pines Golf Course. She finished in a three-way tie for runner-up honors with 79 and one shot back of Linn-Mar medalist Morgan Rupp. Cedar Rapids Washington fired 337 for the team title, 15 ahead of the runner-up Lions.
Word of the ace reached the clubhouse, creating a buzz among other golfers, who demonstrated excitement for Wachtl and congratulated her when she arrived. Though, she seemed shy and reluctant to discuss the feat.
“She’s very modest,” Prairie Coach Erik Columbus said. “She deserves the success she had with her hole-in-one today. It wasn’t by accident. She works hard. There’s going to be more success down the road.”
Wachtl stood on the ninth tee with wind at her back. She opted for her driver, despite driving it over the same green in a meet Monday. She struck the ball well and then lost track of the ball as it rolled near the hole 260 yards away. Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen and Iowa City High’s Haleigh Nelson played in her group and told Wachtl they didn’t see her ball anymore.
“I thought it was a good hit,” said Wachtl, who smiled and laughed about teasing Hawks golf standout and older brother, Tanner, who doesn’t have an ace. “It went a little right and it got a good kick.
“I thought it went over the green, so I was looking behind the green. Then, I decided to look in the hole.”
Columbus noted that Wachtl’s strength is distance off the tee. He said she generates a lot of swing speed, which helped her make her first 18-hole varsity competition memorable.
“She hits it hard,” Columbus said. “Not many will hit it as far.”
Wachtl tied Pettersen, a state placewinner and two-time Mississippi Valley Conference Division Player of the Year, and Washington’s 2023 state runner-up Jane Petersen.
“Her first (varsity) time, rubbing elbows with the Metro’s elite,” Columbus said. “She’s done well and shows her drive. It’s pretty impressive.”
Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp is CRANDIC medalist
Rupp edged the field, shooting 39 on both the front and back for 78. The defending Class 4A state champion was able to manage the chilly and windy conditions. She relied on her resolve and scrambling ability.
“This round tested me mentally with the conditions and trying to bounce back after bad shots and bad holes,” Rupp said. “The fact that I was able to stay in it was a testament to how much I have put in my mental game.”
Rupp posted a birdie on the par-5 No. 11 hole. She said she hit the ball better and farther that earlier meets. Her iron shots were more consistent.
“It was cool to see,” Rupp said.
Linn-Mar’s Gabby and Nina Mercure and Jaydin Schumacher rounded out the team score.
“I’ve been really encouraged by our team scores,” Rupp said. “I didn’t know what our team would be like, losing two seniors (to graduation), but we have come together as a team. We have a good bond. I feel like we could shoot some good scores.”
Washington dominated the team competition, placing all four scorers in the top 11. Petersen led the way with Lily Belle Barker right behind at fifth with 82. Mya Messenger tied for sixth with 85 and Shay Munson added 91 for the Warriors.
Cedar Rapids Xavier was third with 367, just three shots and one spot ahead of Liberty. Sisters Mehar and Meera Julka earned top-10 finishes, scoring 85 and 87, respectively, for the Saints.
CRANDIC girls’ golf meet
At Twin Pines
(Par 73)
Teams – 1. C.R. Washington 337, 2. Linn-Mar 352, 3. C.R. Xavier 367, 4. Iowa City Liberty 370, 5. C.R. Prairie 394, 6. Iowa City High 399, 7. Iowa City West 407, 8. C.R. Kennedy 424, 9. C.R. Jefferson 440, Marion NS
Individuals – 1. Morgan Rupp (LM), 78, 2. (tie) Jane Petersen (CRW), Bella Pettersen (ICL) and Kylie Wachtl (CRP), 79, 5. Lily Belle Barker (CRW), 82
C.R. WASHINGTON (337): Petersen 79, Barker 82, Mya Messenger 85, Shay Munson 91
LINN-MAR (352): Rupp 78, Gabby Mercure 86, Nina Mercure 93, Jayden Schumacher 95
C.R. XAVIER (367): Mehar Julka 85, Meera Julka 87, Josie Kramer 92, Lauren Kram 103
I.C. LIBERTY (370): Pettersen 79, Claire Franzwa 91, Leona Rupp 100, Lila Bowman 100
C.R. PRAIRIE (394): Wachtl 79, Morgan Burhans 97, Katlyn Bildstein 107, Sophia Palmer 111
CITY HIGH (399): Haleigh Nelson 97, Olivia Neuzil 98, Emory Anzelc 101, Hannah Cronk 103
I.C. WEST (407): Lily Schmid 98, Rylee DeSaulniers 99, Gretchen Van Iddekinge 104, Sophie Bodin 106
C.R. KENNEDY (424): Ellie Nurre 86, Bella Devereux 111, Aliya Beard 112, Emersyn Secora 115
C.R. JEFFERSON (440): Ava Erger 95, Rachel Johnson 109, Aiyanna Moeller 116. Kiyaree Cooper 120
MARION: Aubrey Olsen 107, Tillie Cahalan 118, Lexi Kline 132
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