The Gladbrook-Reinbeck boys golf team pictured on Wednesday, May 14, following their District-qualifying bronze finish at the Class 1A sectional held on the grounds of the Belle Plaine Country Club. From left, Cole Fleshner, Brayden Utter, Austen Mathern, Michael Boyd, Chad Gutknecht, and Anthony Knaack. PHOTO BY CORISSA SNIDER

BELLE PLAINE – For the first time in a long time, the Gladbrook-Reinbeck boys golf team qualified for the district meet.

“This is the first time the team has advanced in many years,” G-R head coach Corissa Snider said, “We aren’t sure the exact amount [of time].”

On Wednesday, May 14, the Rebels competed in a Class 1A sectional held at the Belle Plaine Country Club where they captured bronze with a team score of 349 out of seven scoring teams. South Hamilton won the meet with 324 followed by BCLUW with 334. Sectional champion, runner-up, and third place teams advance to the district competition.

The weather for the state qualifier was nearly perfect, Snider said – warm but with a nice breeze.

Sophomore Anthony Knaack led G-R at Belle Plaine, with a low score of 83 for fifth place. Senior Cole Fleshner carded 88 to tie for 14th place while the Rebel trio of sophomore Brayden Utter, senior Austin Mathern, and senior Michael Boyd all shot 89 to tie for 15th. Freshman Chad Gutknecht shot 92 for 19th.

Sophomore Brayden Utter releases a putt on Monday, May 19, in Mason City during the Class 1A Newman Catholic District meet. Utter led the Rebels with an 85. PHOTO BY CORISSA SNIDER

South Hamilton junior Luke Martensen was the meet medalist with 75; BCLUW junior Zaden Eggers was runner-up with 78.

Districts

MASON CITY – The Rebels next hit the links on Monday, May 19, competing in the Class 1A Newman Catholic District meet held at Highland Park Golf Course in Mason City. And while G-R was ultimately unable to advance – ending the season just five strokes short of a state berth – the boys racked up a fifth place finish for the day with a 345 team total.

South Winneshiek (319), South Hamilton (335) and West Fork (340) advanced to state as the top three finishers, followed closely by Starmont (342) and G-R in the 12-team tournament.

Utter led Gladbrook-Reinbeck with an 85, while Knaack came in with an 86. Mathern and Boyd both shot 87 to account for the final counting scores. Gutknecht (91) and Fleshner (97) also competed for the Rebels.

G-R Class of 2025 graduate Cole Fleshner watches his putt take off across the green during the Class 1A Newman Catholic District meet held this past Monday in Mason City. PHOTO BY CORISSA SNIDER

“What a great season for these boys,” Snider said of her players.

Individual state qualifiers from the district were Nick Bernhard of Turkey Valley (81), Ari Behnke of Wapsie Valley (82), and Sawyer Schlee of Starmont (82).

G-R won the Class 1A state golf championship in 1999, defeating Gehlen Catholic by one stroke. Rebel team participants that year at state included Jon Freese (163), Mike Boatman (168), Chris Linder (168), Brent Beichly (169), Josh Petersen (173), and Nick Linder (192).