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Doyle wins NCC title for Gaels

HUMBOLDT – It wasn’t the kind of shootout everyone was hoping for, but the Webster City boys still repeated atop the North Central Conference standings here Tuesday at the Humboldt Country Club.

The second-ranked (Class 3A) Lynx claimed a four-stroke victory over No. 5 (2A) Clear Lake, defending their title. The tournament was shortened to nine holes and played a day later due to inclement weather.

Charlie Doyle was the lone golfer to finish under-par, carding a 35 to claim meet medalist honors and help seventh-rated (2A) St. Edmond place third.

“I am real proud of Charlie,” SEHS head coach Dan Streit said. “I don’t know if we have ever had an individual win be the North Central Conference medalist before. It is always such a tough conference from the top-to-bottom, so for him to come out first, that shows the kind of player he is.”

The Gaels were seven strokes back of Webster City and three behind the Lions, with Hampton-Dumont, Algona, Humboldt, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows and Iowa Falls-Alden rounding out the team scoring.

Avery Fuhs was one of three WCHS golfers to card a 36, earning runner-up honors by claiming a sudden death playoff hole over teammates Alec Fuhs, Drew Fielder and St. Edmond’s Robert Flattery. Avery Fuhs, the meet winner last year, had a chip-in for eagle to win the playoff.

“We played pretty well and we’re happy with the scores,” Webster City head coach Dave Brighton said. “Drew played very well again and Alec and Avery both played well.”

Flattery was third thanks to the next tiebreaker, followed by Alec Fuhs and Fielder.

Doyle had birdies on Nos. 1, 3 and 7, along with four pars on Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 8. The junior tied for 22nd last year at the Class 2A state meet, which St. Edmond will host this season after finishing fourth overall.

“I hit the ball well from tee-to-green,” Doyle said. “It helped that the weather held up. It was a really tough field between Webster City, who is one of the top teams in 3A, and Clear Lake, who is one of the top teams in 2A.

“We are really looking forward to sectionals. I feel that as a team we are really starting to hit our stride at the right point in the season.”

Flattery, a 14th place finisher at state last year and the No. 3 ranked individual in 2A this season, carded birdies on No. 7, along with seven pars. Gibb, a freshman, had one birdie on his round.

“Robert had a really good round,” Streit said. “Along with Charlie, they were just real consistent and played good golf all day.

“The whole did team real well. I feel like we are coming into our own right now with the postseason right around the corner.”

Avery Fuhs, Alec Fuhs and Fielder combined for five birdies, including matching 3s by Avery Fuhs and Fielder on the par-4 No. 8.

Jackson Helmers and Collin Besch had 40s to lead Algona, while Clarion-Goldfield/Dows’ low score was also a 40, carded by Dalton Nesheim.

Humboldt’s Hudson Gargano led the Wildcats with a 41. Isaac Thurm had two birdies on his way to a 43.

This was the first time the NCC meet was not played over 18 holes since 1963, according to Brighton, who was disappointed the tourney was shortened.

“Playing nine holes, it did take some of the luster away from it,” Brighton said. “It’s disappointing we didn’t get the chance to finish out the conference the way we wanted.”

Next action will be this Friday for sectional golf. St. Edmond travels to Clarmond Country Club in Clarion with Alta/Aurelia, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Eagle Grove, East Sac County, Manson Northwest Webster, Pocahontas Area and South Central Calhoun. Districts are set for next Friday at Emerald Hills Golf Course in Okoboji.

Algona travels to Spencer for a 3A sectional, while Humboldt and Webster City compete in Polk City at the TCI on Thursday in a 3A sectional that also features No. 1 Gilbert.

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