Ryan Leath won his second conference golf title in three years at last week’s Hawkeye 10 meet.

Colton Book’s round of 77 was a bright spot for a Glenwood team that came up two agonizing strokes short of a top two finish at Friday’s Class 3A sectional at the Majestic Hills Country Club in Denison.

The Rams shot a team round of 325 to come up just short of second place A-D-M’s 323. Atlantic was the sectional champion with a round of 309. The top two teams and five individual scores advance to this week’s district meet with a shot at state on the line.

“It was really tough,” said Glenwood coach Michael Joyner. “We knew it was going to be close and as scores were coming in it was within one stroke with one player left to be recorded for each team. It’s just heartbreaking for the guys. They played their heart out and three of the guys either matched or broke their best score at that course and the others were right at their average.”

To make matters worse, the Rams’ score was good enough for a top two finish in six of eight Class 3A districts on Friday.

“I couldn’t have asked more from them and have gone over the day all weekend and all I can think of is how proud I am of their effort and thankful I am to coach them,” Joyner said.

Atlantic’s Ben Renaud shot a three-under-par round of 68 for top honors. Green County’s Elijah Block was the runner up with a round of 71.

Book started off hot with a 35 on the front nine before finishing at 77. Nick Stavas and Ryan Leath both carded 82s and Kris Yakes and Eli Bales both each added an 84.

Joyner said he was extremely happy for his Book.

“He played well at the beginning of the day playing the front nine 1 under par,” Joyner said. “He struggled a little on the back nine going plus-seven, but what I liked about him is he didn’t give up. He wanted to, at multiple spots, to just let the round get to him, but he pushed through.

“Coach (Marty) Stavas has done a really good job with Colton this year about focusing on the opportunity presented to him on each shot. I think he has a great opportunity to play well on Friday and qualify for the state tournament.
Book will compete in Atlantic on Friday in districts.

Leath wins second H-10 title

Ryan Leath won top individual honors and the Glenwood boys were third in the team standings at the Hawkeye 10 Conference Golf Meet at Carroll Municipal Golf Course in Carroll last Monday.

Leath shot a 69 to tie with Atlantic’s Cyle Renaud but one sudden death playoff to secure his second conference title in three years. Leath won the conference crown as a freshman in 2016.

Glenwood coach Michael Joyner said he was happy with how his team performed in a very competitive field.

“The guys went out and competed really well and shooting a 303 is right where we want to be,” Joyner said. “I tip my cap to Atlantic and Kuemper for shooting as well as they did. We fully expected to be in the thick of things and we were. There’s nothing to be ashamed of with our scores.”

First place in the team standings was just as tight as the individual scores with just eight strokes separating first and third. Atlantic won the team title with a score of 295, Kuemper Catholic shot a 299 and Glenwood was third with a team score of 303.

Joyner said he felt like Leath was on the verge of breaking out heading into the conference meet.

“Ryan has been gaining confidence in the last 27 holes he has played,” he said. “We went into this year with the goal of gaining confidence to hit the shots that are needed on a golf course. He has done a really good job of taking the result of a shot and using the next one as an opportunity.”

Joyner pointed to a time during the conference meet where Leath did just that. After recorded back-to-back bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes and looking like his confidence was waning, the junior regained his focus and sunk a 35-foot par putt on the next hole.

“After that, it seemed like he turned it on and nothing could stop him,” Joyner said.

Leath was joined in the top 12 by teammates Colton Book, who shot a 76 for ninth place, and Kris Yakes, who carded a 77 for 12th and All-Hawkeye 10 Conference honors. Book is a repeat conference selection while Yakes is a first time honoree.

“Colton has been super steady for us all year,” Joyner said. “He has medaled in all of the tournaments we have played this year and his consistent scoring has been nice to rely on. I love that he’s a perfectionist and sometimes wished he would be less hard on himself.

“Kris started the year struggling after a swing and grip change. He has turned it on these past few weeks and has been a reliable scorer for us. Earning all-conference in the best golf conference on this side of the state is a great honor.”

Eli Bales shot an 81 to place 20th and complete the Rams’ scoring.

Hawkeye 10 Conference Golf Meet
Team Results

1. Atlantic, 295. 2. Kuemper Catholic, 299. 3. Glenwood, 303. 4. Council Bluffs Lewis Central, 319. 5. Harlan, 323. 6. Denison, 327. 7. Clarinda, 348. 8. (tie) Creston and Council Bluffs St. Albert, 363. 10. Shenandoah, 387. 11. Red Oak, 400.

Top 12 Place Winners

1. Ryan Leath, Glenwood, 69. 2. Cyle Renaud, Atlantic, 69. 3. Ethan Pietig, Kuemper Catholic, 72. 4. Matt Gearhart, Atlantic, 72. 5. Nate Mertz, Kuemper, 75. 6. Jared Tigges, Kuemper Catholic, 75. 7. Ben Renaud, Atlantic, 75. 8. Owen O’Brien, Council Bluffs Lewis Central, 76. 9. Colton Book, Glenwood, 76. 10. William Shull, Clarinda, 76. 11. Dawson McDermott, Kuemper Catholic, 77. 12. Kris Yakes, Glenwood, 77.