Osage wins TIC East boys title
By Kristi Nixon
GREENE — The Osage boys’ golf team won the 2023 Top of Iowa East Conference title at Round Grove Golf Course hosted by North Butler on Monday, May 8.
A new school record for 18 holes by the Green Devils of 313 included all six golfers for coach Eric Goddard’s team among the top-10 all-conference medalists, including conference champion, Leo Klapperich.
The senior shot one-over-par-73, beating Rockford’s Adam Wyborny by two strokes while the two were playing in the same group and were tied going into the last hole.
“I was happy the whole round,” Klapperich said. “I played with some good people. I hit a good second shot right close and I knew I could make that putt. So, I just had to trickle it in. He had to go up and down for par. I felt going confident going in.
“It’s fun to have a good group of kids to come out here and play well.”
Coach Eric Goddard added, “We’re deep and any one of our six guys were certainly capable of being in the top three-four in the conference, so I’m happy with how we played today.
“He (Leo) is a cool customer. They were tied going into the 18th and he put a little pressure on the Rockford kid by putting a good drive out there. Making him have to make a good shot and Leo put it next to the pin for a nice birdie on 18 to win it.”
