Raider boys’ golf team faces highs, lows at state tourney

Crew Klinger became just the fourth golfer in school history to finish in the top 10, but it was a struggle for the rest of the Williamsburg boys' golf team in the Class 3A state tournament Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23, at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames.

Klinger shot rounds of 77 and 80 for a 36-hole total of 157 to earn him a six-way tie for 8th place in the field of 69 players — just one place out of medaling, but high enough to include him in an elite group of Raiders. Only three Williamsburg players in school history before Klinger have finished in the top 10 at state — Isaac Knock twice, fourth in 2016 and sixth in 2017; Ethan Jacoby, fourth in 2017, and Corbin Blythe, sixth in 2013.

"That's a great accomplishment," said Williamsburg coach Brad Schaefer. “I was extremely happy with the way Crew played. He was the only player in the tournament to go all 36 holes without a double bogey. The course played very tough both days and for Crew to do that was outstanding. He just needed one more putt to drop to get a medal."

A junior, Klinger was named to the all-tournament second team. His first round consisted of an eagle, a birdie, eight pars and eight bogeys. Round two had four pars, three birdies and nine bogeys.

While Klinger had a good tournament, it was a rough go at it, one day or another, for the rest of the Raiders, who placed ninth in the team standings with a 350-340-690, beating only West Delaware's 349-343-692. MOC Valley won the 3A the team title with a 319-310-629. Knoxville was runner-up with a 329-314-643. Washington junior Roman Roth earned individual medalist honors with a one-under-par 73-70-143, and MOC Valley senior Davis Korver was runner-up with a seven-over 80-71-151.

Junior Bryce Yearian, steady all year as Williamsburg's No. 2 man, got off to a horrible start to the tournament, double bogeying four holes on the back nine and limping in with a 15-over-par 51. He got better on the front nine with a 48 to finish barely under 100 with a 99. To Yearian's credit he bounced back on Day 2 to shoot six shots better on each side with a 42-45-47. His 186 total tied him for 60th place.

"I was proud of the way Bryce bounced back on Day 2," coach Schaefer said. "He got off to a horrible start on Day 1 but recovered."

Seniors Trey O'Neil and Zach Glandorf, the No. 3 and 4 players, had their problems as well. O'Neil posted a 92 on Day 1 before rebounding with an 84 and two-day total of 176 for a share of 47th place. Glandorf shot 89-91-180 to tie for 50th.

"It was nice to see those guys end their high school careers at the state tournament," Schaefer said. "We're going to miss them. They were a huge part of this team and were outstanding leaders for the young guys."

Freshman Cooper Bott, who had a hole-in-one his season, came in with a 92-90-182 for a share of 57th place.

"Cooper had an amazing freshman season and will be a special player in the future," said Coach Schaefer.

Sophomore Robbie Allison, who gave the Raider faithful a scare after the completion of round one, carded a 100-89-189 for 65th. Schaefer noted Allison had a severe allergic reaction and was taken by ambulance to a hospital.

"It was a very scary moment," Schaefer said, "but the coolest thing is he bounced back and wanted to play on Day 2. He shot 89 and we scored him. I was very proud of Robbie to do what he did after that Monday night scare."

State — their 10th appearance in the last 13 years — capped another successful season for Williamsburg, who were 3A district champions, 3A sectional runners-up, ranked 13th in the final 3A ratings and compiled a 52-38 record.

"It was great to finish our season where a lot of other teams wanted to be … at state," Schaefer said. "We competed hard on a very tough course as the smallest 3A school. We beat some top teams in Class 3A to qualify, but just couldn’t put two great scores together at state. We return four guys from this team next year, and they have already set their goals to get back to state and bring home a trophy."