Golf in the Gloom

Comets host Vikings in an 18-hole meet that lasted to dusk

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — It wasn’t like they had much sunlight to work with in the first place.

The Charles City Comets boys golf team hosted the Decorah Vikings during a dreary Friday afternoon at Cedar Ridge. For the varsity, it was an 18-hole meet that played well into the evening.

It wasn’t until about 8:30 p.m. that the final foursome made it back to the clubhouse. Due to the overcast day, dusk had already been beckoned to descend early.

Comet sophomore Theo Arndt came in with the second-to-last foursome. Amazingly, he didn’t lose any balls and shot a team-best 85, establishing an 18-hole season low for Charles City.

“I’ve shot lower scores in practice, but this is the best I’ve shot for this team,” said Arndt, who at one point thought his score was lower (84), but a double-check on the scorecards confirmed the former score.

“I thought I played pretty well,” Arndt said, “but I left some shots out there. I could have easily scored better.”

Comet juniors Nate Lasher and Drew Mitchell each shot 87, and Kaleb Ross and Cameron Stock both carded 97, rounding out Charles City’s team score of 356.

The Vikings, led by Derek Weis’s medalist score of 79 and Sam Sacquintne’s 81, scored 324 as a team.

“It was a good 18-hole score for us, it’s just that Decorah has a real strong team,” Charles City head boys coach Dave Williams said. “We’re trying to get more 18-hole meets in to get our guys ready for the postseason.”

Charles City’s girls golf team had an away meet that day against New Hampton, and were edged by three strokes, 190-193.

Sophomore Emma Williams led the Comets with a 9-hole score of 43.

“That’s the best she has ever shot for us,” Charles City girls head coach Eric Johanningmeier said. “She has really come along.”

Rounding out the scores for Charles City were Jamie Sindlinger (45), Taylor Hoffman (52) and Genevieve Wandro (53).

“That’s our best round of the year and the first time we broke under 200,” Johanningmeier said. “That’s often a psychological barrier for teams — to get under 200 for the first time. Now we’ve done it and we can move on from there.”

Charles City’s girls team is back in action today at Clear Lake. The Charles City boys team will host New Hampton at Cedar Ridge Golf Course on Tuesday.

Boys Golf

At Cedar Ridge Country Club

April 29

DECORAH (324) — Derek Weis 79, Sam Sacquitne 81, Avery Brandt 82, Andrew Kephart 82, Drake Shelton 84, Joe Knoke 85, Tom Knoke 84, Jarod Redenius 93.

CHARLES CITY (356) — Theo Arndt 85, Nate Lasher 87, Drew Mitchell 87, Kaleb Ross 97, Cameron Stock 97, Brady Girkin 107, Maison Holzer 99, Jacob Nixt 100.

Girls Golf

April 29

NEW HAMPTON (190)

CHARLES CITY (193) — Emma Williams 43, Jamie Sindlinger 45, Taylor Hoffman 52, Gen Wandro 53.