NEWTON – On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 26-27, the Gladbrook-Reinbeck boys golf team traveled to Westwood Golf Course to participate in the 1A Iowa High School State Golf Championships for the first time since 1999. The Newton course proved to be a tough test for the Rebels, who shot a two-day team score of 669 to place 11th in the 12-team tournament. It wasn’t the finish to the season that we were hoping for, but we learned a lot from the last couple of days as individuals and as a team.

Junior Anthony Knaack placed the highest for G-R, tying for 32nd with a two-day total of 78-86–164. Not too far behind, Knaack’s freshman teammate Laken Thesing tied for 39th with a score of 85-82–167. Rounding out the Rebels’ scorecard, junior Brayden Utter shot 89-80–169; sophomore Chad Gutknecht carded 83-89–172; freshman Brayton Dripps recorded rounds of 91-89–180; and junior Tyson Blohm finished at 86-97–183. Each G-R golfer’s score counted at least one day at state.

With all our varsity golfers returning next season, there is no doubt the boys will put their best foot forward and do everything in their power for another shot at the state championships next year. We had a lot of success and fun this season, breaking multiple individual and team school records. Throughout the season, every player stepped up and helped the Rebels secure wins along the way. On any given night, golfers 1 through 6 would put up a good score to contribute. Having a lineup like that will produce a lot of success.

Players and coaches are already setting goals and looking forward to teeing it up next season. A huge THANK YOU goes out to our parents, families, school, boosters, Peoples Savings Bank, and Oakleaf Country Club for supporting us this season.

Sun Courier Note: This story was posted to the Gladbrook-Reinbeck social media feed. Corissa Snider is head coach for the Rebel golf teams; Skyler Boyer is assistant coach.