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Top 10 Ames-area Iowa high school boys and girls golfers ahead of the 2023 season

joe randleman, ames tribune
·5 min read

High school golf teams in the Ames Tribune area will feature some of the best boys and girls golfers in the entire state entering the 2023 season.

The Gilbert boys have won back-to-back Class 3A state championships.

"Obviously another state title would be awesome," said Gilbert senior Brock Snyder. "We put in a lot of work over the summer and I think we're ready for the season."

The Tigers girls team has finished second at state in 3A each of the past two seasons. They want a state championship in 2023.

"Last year didn't really go how we wanted it to, and I know that's driven everybody on the team to work harder overall," said Gilbert senior Eden Lohrbach. "I'm very excited for the season to start."

Gilbert's Eden Lohrbach and Brock Snyder lead a talented group of Ames area high school golfers getting ready to hit the links in 2023.
Gilbert's Eden Lohrbach and Brock Snyder lead a talented group of Ames area high school golfers getting ready to hit the links in 2023.

The Roland-Story girls placed fifth at last year's 2A state tournament and the Norse came in second two years ago. The Ames and Nevada girls also return state participants from 2022.

This is just a preseason list, so plenty of new names could emerge during the season. But here are the top 10 male and female high school golfers in the Ames area right now.

Gilbert's Eden Lohrbach already has one state title under her belt and is hoping for another in 2023.
Gilbert's Eden Lohrbach already has one state title under her belt and is hoping for another in 2023.

1. Eden Lohrbach, Gilbert

State appearances: 2021 (1st, 3A girls), 2022 (2nd, 3A girls)

Year: Senior

Lohrbach placed second individually at last year's 3A state tournament after losing a three-hole playoff to Newton's Rylee Heryford.

Lohrbach shot a 149 over 36 holes to claim second at the tournament, held at the River Valley Golf Course in Adel. She won the 3A state individual championship as a sophomore in 2021, also shooting a 149 at the River Valley course.

Lohrbach will golf at the Division 1 level in college after signing with Nebraska.

Gilbert's Brock Snyder is hoping to top his third place finish in 2021 this season.
Gilbert's Brock Snyder is hoping to top his third place finish in 2021 this season.

2. Brock Snyder, Gilbert

State appearances: 2021 (3rd, 3A boys), 2022 (13th-tie, 3A boys)

Year: Senior

After not getting to golf as a freshman due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Snyder placed third individually in 3A at state in 2021 and tied for 13th in 2022.

Snyder shot a 162 over 36 holes at last year's state meet held at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. He carded a 148 in 2021 at the Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.

Snyder will continue his golf career at the Division 1 level competing for Missouri.

Makenna Carlson finished in fourth place a season ago at the state tournament.
Makenna Carlson finished in fourth place a season ago at the state tournament.

3. Makenna Carlson, Roland-Story

State appearances: 2021 (10th-tie, 2A girls), 2022 (4th, 2A girls)

Year: Junior

In 2021, Carlson shot a 172 over 36 holes to tie for 10th and help Roland-Story take second as a team at the 2A girls state golf tournament held at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown. Last year she carded a 161 at the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls to place fourth and help the Norse finish fifth as a team.

Gilbert's Joey Currans has placed in the top-10 at the state tournament in each of the last two seasons.
Gilbert's Joey Currans has placed in the top-10 at the state tournament in each of the last two seasons.

4. Joey Currans, Gilbert

State appearances: 2021 (9th, 3A boys), 2022 (7th-tie, 3A boys)

Year: Junior

Currans already has two top-10 individual performances at state entering his junior season at Gilbert.

Currans placed ninth as a freshman with a score of 158. He tied for seventh at last year's 3A tournament after carding a 160.

Ames sophomore Elizabeth Duncan earned a trip to the state tournament during her freshman season a year ago.
Ames sophomore Elizabeth Duncan earned a trip to the state tournament during her freshman season a year ago.

5. Elizabeth Duncan, Ames

State Appearances: 2022 (21st, 4A girls)

Year: Sophomore

Duncan had a tremendous freshman season for Ames in 2022 and she's looking to do even better in 2023.

She just missed placing in the top 20 at the 4A girls state tournament held at Otter Creek in Ankeny. Duncan took 21st over 36 holes with a score of 170.

Nevada junior Olivia Axmear finished inside the top-15 last year as a sophomore.
Nevada junior Olivia Axmear finished inside the top-15 last year as a sophomore.

6. Olivia Axmear, Nevada

State appearances: 2022 (14th-tie, 3A girls)

Year: Junior

Axmear turned in a breakout sophomore season for the Nevada girls golf team in 2022.

Axmear qualified for state individually. She tied for 14th in 3A after shooting a 175 over 36 holes at the River Valley Golf Course, showing she has the potential to finish in the top 10 in 2023.

Ames' Emersen Motl finished just inside the top-50 at the state tournament a season ago.
Ames' Emersen Motl finished just inside the top-50 at the state tournament a season ago.

7. Emersen Motl, Ames

State appearances: 2022 (48th-tie, 4A girls)

Year: Sophomore

Motl joined Duncan as another outstanding freshman to reach state for Ames last season.

In 2021 Duncan tied for 48th at the 4A meet in Ankeny with a 36-hole score of 188. She has the potential to challenge for a top-20 spot this season.

Gilbert's Macy Underwood is hoping for a third straight trip to the state tournament in her final season of HS golf.
Gilbert's Macy Underwood is hoping for a third straight trip to the state tournament in her final season of HS golf.

8. Macy Underwood, Gilbert

State appearances: 2022 (24th, 3A girls), 2021 (12th-tie, 3A girls)

Year: Senior

Underwood leads a tight group of girls behind Lohrbach for Gilbert. She has been in the top four of Gilbert's varsity lineup during their last two trips to state.

In 2021, Underwood tied for 12th in 3A with a score of 179. She took 24th last year with a 192 showing.

Gilbert Ryan Lynch claimed a top-40 finish at the state tournament as a freshman last year.
Gilbert Ryan Lynch claimed a top-40 finish at the state tournament as a freshman last year.

9. Ryan Lynch, Gilbert

State appearances: 2022 (37th-tie, 3A boys)

Year: Sophomore

Lynch was a nice addition to the Gilbert boys' state championship team in 2022.

He ended up tying for 37th individually at the 3A boys state tournament last season. He shot a 180 over 36 holes.

He looks to make a big leap forward in 2023.

Ballard's Mason Gatchel was a mesalist at five events a season ago.
Ballard's Mason Gatchel was a mesalist at five events a season ago.

10. Mason Gatchel, Ballard

State appearances: None.

Year: Sophomore

Gatchel was a breakout performer for the Ballard boys golf team as a freshman in 2022.

He shot an 86 at the 3A sectional meet held at the Ballard Golf and Country Club in Huxley last season. He also won medalist honors at five meets for the Bombers, showing the potential to be a state qualifier in 2023.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames area to feature several standout high school golfers this spring