Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond boys golf returning letterwinners are (left to right) Max Nguyen, Kinnick Henning, Ty Mericle and Landon Saathoff. Not pictured: Jack McElroy.

St. Edmond’s Jack McElroy and Ty Mericle both advanced individually during Class 1A postseason competition a year ago on the golf course.

The next step is for the team to do the same.

The Gaels have plenty of upside on paper. Whether or not they match – or exceed – those expectations will depend on their collective progress over the next five weeks.

McElroy, Mericle and a number of other regulars return to the lineup this spring. Head coach Matt Dillon’s squad also welcomes junior Carson Bargfrede to the rotation, who will be joining senior Landon Saathoff and a number of other capable contenders.

“We have a lot of really solid athletes and tough competitors,” said Dillon, who is in his fifth season at the helm. “We just have to put in the work and become as consistent as possible over the course of the next month with our physical and mental approach.

“There’s plenty of talent and experience. I think a good goal for us is to ultimately be around the 160 range (for nine-hole duals). But it’s early and we have a long way to go.”

McElroy and Mericle were clutch in the sectional meet last spring, carding rounds of 76 and 81, respectively, to advance. The Gaels were three strokes away from advancing as a team.

McElroy (80.75 average) – a junior who is a two-time district participant — and Mericle (83.75) — just a sophomore — were the 18-hole scoring leaders in 2024.

Bargfrede, Saathoff, senior Max Nguyen, junior Kinnick Henning and senior Kade Schlegel are joined by junior newcomer Hunter Horn as rotation possibilities after McElroy and Mericle.

“Jack and Ty can be guys who are consistently posting scores in the mid-70s,” Dillon said. “They played some of their best golf down the stretch last season, and I don’t see why that can’t carry over to even bigger and better things now.

“Landon has worked very hard on his game and is poised to have a big senior year. Carson can hit it a mile and is another really good athlete for us who could put it all together and go low. And there’s a lot of potential with Max, Kinnick, Kade and Hunter…it’s just a matter of finding the right combinations. There’s nothing wrong with a healthy competition for those final varsity spots. They all have their strengths.”

Saathoff, Henning and Nguyen were all varsity regulars last spring.

“We talk about our approach and how to handle both the good and the bad in this sport, because golf can be a grind,” Dillon said. “We haven’t been able to get much accomplished outside because (the weather) has been slow to get better, but we’re doing what we can to be prepared for this Friday. Everyone is in the same boat.”

St. Edmond starts the season on Friday at South Central Calhoun. The Gaels’ home opener is April 28, with the CYO Tournament also at Lakeside on April 30.

2025 ST. EDMOND BOYS GOLF

Roster

Seniors – Landon Saathoff, Kade Schlegel, Max Nguyen.

Juniors – Jack McElroy, Kinnick Henning, Carson Bargfrede, Hunter Horn, Thomas Knobbe.

Sophomores – Ty Mericle, Griffin Laufersweiler, Carter Kirkegaard.

Freshmen – Marvin Bacon, Owen Rutherford.

Schedule

April 11 – at South Central Calhoun; 15 – at Southeast Valley; 22 – at Algona; 25 – at Iowa Falls-Alden; 28 – South Hamilton; 29 – at Greene County; 30 – CYO tournament.

May 1 – Webster City; 6 – Clarion-Goldfield/Dows and Clear Lake; 10 – at Coon Rapids-Bayard Invitational; 12 – North Central Conference meet in Clarion.