WAVERLY – It took a while and required a change of location, but the Crestwood boys’ golf team was finally able to get on a golf course.
    The outing last week was not a successful one for the Cadets as they fell to Waverly-Shell Rock, 174-186.
    The dual meet was held at Waverly. It was originally scheduled at the Cresco County Club but that wasn’t possible. The local course was not yet open as remnants of snow and ice were still in evidence. The remains of the winter have also kept the golf teams, boys and girls, from practice rounds and that was apparent in the loss at Waverly.
    The Cadets are expected to field a competitive team this year, although Coach Lynn McCormick said he has a young squad.
    “We have excellent numbers with 30 kids signed up,” he said. “That includes a number of freshmen, which makes it important to get out on the course and see what we have. That hasn’t been possible this spring. Our first time out was at Waverly because of the cold and wet weather this spring and we did not play well.”
    Leading the way this year are expected to be veterans Kyle Christianson and Ian Fitzgerald, both back from the 2007 squad that posted a 5-5 dual meet record. Christianson, the top golfer a year ago, is a junior and Fitzgerald is a senior on this year’s team that is dominated by underclassmen.
    Two other junior letterwinners are returning from the 2007 team. The two, Andy Stapelkamp and Brandon Neuzil, were strong competitors a year ago and had a number of excellent outings.
    Also expected to contend for honors on the varsity team this year are freshmen newcomers John Thomson and Dan Miller.
    Other young golfers who might help the Cadets this year are Curtis Murphy, Flynn Kelly, Mike Hartberg and John Gooder.
    Coach McCormick hasn’t had a chance to evaluate the strengths of this year’s team, or improvements that need to be stressed, because of the poor outdoor conditions.
    “We have both Christianson and Fitzgerald returning and they should lead the team,” he said. “But we also have good experience in Stapelkamp and Neuzil. All four are capable to posting good numbers. We just need to get out there and get in some practice rounds.”
    The early season rust was evident against Waverly-SR. Christianson did tie for medalist honors with Josiah Snyder of the host Go-Hawks as both fired a 42. Fitzgerald came in with a 45 followed by Thomson with a 48 and Miller and Neuzil finished out the top five as both shot a 51. Stapelkamp and Gooder both carded a 52 and Curtis Murphy shot a 55.
    Crestwood lost the junior varsity dual, 198-210.
    Remaining matches for the boys golf team include:
    Monday, April 21: at Waukon
    Thursday, April 24: at Jackson Junction
    Friday, April 25: Decorah
    Monday, April 28: at New Hampton
    Friday, May 2: Clayton Ridge
    Monday, May 5: Fillmore Central
    Friday, May 9: sectionals
    Monday, May 12: NEIC (Cresco)
    Friday, May 16: districts
    Friday, May 23-24: state