Written by: Sydney Seebecker
The AHS boys’ and girls’ golf teams kicked off their competition season last week, on Tuesday, April 9th. The teams played in triangulars against North Union and West Bend-Mallard. They continued on that week to play another triangular against Estherville and North Union.
The boys’ team won by nine strokes their first meet, shooting a team score of 161. Alex Manske was runner-up medalist with a score of 35. Nathan Manske and Alex Brooks were close behind with a 38 and 41 respectively. At their second meet, the boys earned a close second. They lost to Estherville by three strokes. The team ended up shooting a 171. Nathan Manske was medalist, shooting a 38. Alex Manske was second best for the boys’ team with a 41.
This week, the boys’ team competed in a tournament on Monday at Spencer. They placed 8th with an 18 hole score of 333. Top shooters for the Bulldogs were Alex and Nathan Manske, both shooting 80.
Today, they host a home meet against Clear Lake at the Algona Country Club. Tomorrow, they will host a home tournament. Next week, they will travel for a triangular, and then they will host another triangular.
The girls’ team had a big win in their first meet with a team total of 202. Lainey Venteicher led the pack with a 45, and Abby Brooks followed with a 47. They were named medalist and runner-up. Lillian Miller and Faith Zeller were also in the top five. They continued their winning streak at their next meet, which was at home. The team shot a total of 205. Once again, Lainey Venteicher earned medalist honors with a score of 48. Faith Zeller followed close behind with a 50. Venteicher stated, “After winning our first two meets, it looks like our team should have a good year.”
This week the girls played in a tournament on Monday at Estherville. The team ended up shooting 432 on their 18 holes. They placed 5th. Abby Brooks had runner-up medalist honors with her score of 87.
Today, the girls will travel to Clear Lake to play in a dual. The following week, they are set for two away triangulars, on Tuesday and Friday.
The boys’ and girls’ teams both started their practice season back in March. They’ve been able to practice a lot outside due to the weather being fairly good. On days it was bad, the teams have taken advantage of the local golf simulators at River Road Golf Course, the YMCA, and the Golf Ranch.
The girls’ team has a returning State qualifier, Abby Brooks. Her 2023 season stats include: a 9 hole low of 45 and an average of 48.40, as well as an 18 hole low of 86 and an average of 92.58. Brooks hopes to return to State again this year.
Good luck to both the boys and girls in their 2024 golf season.