Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond boys golf letterwinners are (left to right): Carson Bargfrede, Ty Mericle, Kinnick Henning, Jack McElroy and Hunter Horn.

The 2026 St. Edmond golf team has already proven they’re tough to beat on a basketball court.

Now the Gaels are ready to prove their worth on the links.

Four of head coach Matt Dillon’s top players return to the lineup this spring, along with two others who have varsity experience. District medalists Ty Mericle and Jack McElroy are back, as well as regular contributor Carson Bargfrede and emerging senior Hunter Horn.

That quartet helped lead St. Edmond to a Class 1A boys state basketball championship last month in Des Moines. Now they take their talents to the golf course.

“The good news is these guys have been living in high-pressure situations since November,” said Dillon, who is in his sixth season at the helm. “We have two guys in Ty and Jack who advanced (out of sectionals individually in 2024) and then helped our team (reach districts last spring). And Carson was right up there as a solid No. 3 for us.

“We just need them to be consistent and play to their capabilities, then have one more regular contributor from our other four (options). The potential is there. We’re not shying away from the idea of making a push for a (1A team) state berth.”

Mericle, a junior who was the Gael basketball squad’s standout sixth man this past winter, carded a 77 to earn sectional runner-up honors last year. McElroy, a senior and the starting point guard, was right behind with a 79 to take third.

Bargfrede and senior Kinnick Henning had the other counting sectional scores and are multi-year varsity players as well. Freshman Maxxus Laufersweiler and junior Griffin Laufersweiler round out the expected lineup for Tuesday’s season-opening triangular at Lakeside, with Horn — a two-time all-state hoop selection — joining the rotation next week.

“All of these guys are capable,” Dillon said. “They hit it a mile. But in this sport, like always, the short game separates the men from the boys. That’s where you score. If you want to go low, you have to execute your chips and make your putts.”

Dillon feels like this group has “really turned a corner” compared to a year ago.

“They’ve matured tremendously,” Dillon said. “I think the basketball season helped solidify that. They’re all tough competitors obviously, which is something you just can’t coach. It’s all about getting everything aligned mentally at this point — keep that focus and grind your way through rounds. Avoid big numbers.

“Golf is as much about handling adversity as how you perform when things are going your way.”

St. Edmond is slated to face South Central Calhoun and Greene County, weather permitting, on Tuesday. The Gaels host the CYO Tournament on April 29. Sectionals are May 13 and districts are May 18.

2026 ST. EDMOND BOYS GOLF

Roster

Seniors — Jack McElroy, Carson Bargfrede, Kinnick Henning, Hunter Horn, Jackson Calvert, Jamison Baker, Thomas Knobbe, Drake Vandi.

Juniors — Ty Mericle, Carter Kirkegaard, Griffin Laufersweiler.

Sophomore — Owen Rutherford.

Freshmen — Maxxus Laufersweiler, Evan Calvert, Cooper Cokeley, Julio Galvan, Calahan Reisner, Sam Touney, Nick Utley.

Schedule

April 7 — South Central Calhoun, Greene County; 14 –Southeast Valley; 18 — Greene County; 21 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 24 — Humboldt and Iowa Falls-Alden; 27 — at South Hamilton; 29 — CYO Meet at Lakeside.

May 1 – Webster City and Charles City; 2 — at OABCIG; 5 — Clarion-Goldfield/Dows and Clear Lake; 7 — NCC meet in Iowa Falls; 9 — at Coon Rapids-Bayard; 13 — Class 1A sectional meet; 18 — Class 1A district meet; 26-27 — Class 1A state meet.