10 Ames-area Iowa high school boys golfers to watch ahead of the 2024 season
The 2024 Iowa high school boys spring golf season will see Gilbert continue to be a force in Class 3A.
The Tigers are coming off a third-place finish at the Class 3A state meet last year after winning back-to-back state titles in 2021 and 2022. They must replace current Missouri Tiger Brock Snyder, but the rest of their top six returns intact.
Ballard could also make a run in 3A after returning the top three golfers from last year's team that placed third at the 3A district meet.
Nevada brings back an All-Heart of Iowa Conference golfer. Roland-Story and Colo-NESCO also return their top golfers from 2023.
This is just a preseason list, so plenty of new names could emerge during the season. But here, in alphabetical order by last name, are the top 10 boys high school golfers in the Ames area right now.
Joey Currans, Gilbert
Year: Senior
Currans enters his senior season as the most experienced golfer for a Gilbert team looking to make it back to state and compete for its third state title in four years.
As a freshman, Currans placed ninth individually at state and he tied for seventh as a sophomore, helping the Tigers win two consecutive 3A state titles. He tied for 21st at the 2023 3A state meet.
Mason Gatchel, Ballard
Year: Junior
Gatchel was among the top two Ballard golfers each of his first two varsity seasons for the Bombers.
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Last season, Gatchel took 11th at the 3A district meet in Atlantic with an 18-hole score of 79 to help the Bombers finish nine strokes shy of earning a trip to state after scoring a 322, placing third as a team.
Austin Hennick, Colo-NESCO
Year: Senior
Hennick was the most consistent performer for the Colo-NESCO boys golf team in 2023.
During his junior season, he had an average 9-hole score of 38.73 and his average over 18 holes was 89.
Kyle Kingsbury, Nevada
Year: Senior
Kingsbury tied for second at last year's Heart of Iowa Conference meet after shooting an 82 over 18 holes at the Lincoln Valley Golf Course in State Center.
More: Top 15 Ames-area Iowa high school boys track and field athletes ahead of the 2024 season
Kingsbury also helped the Cubs shoot a 339 and place third at the 3A sectional meet in Carroll by carding an 81 to tie for 10th individually. On the season, his 36.60 9-hole average and 82.63 18-hole average were both the best on the team.
Brady Kruger, Ballard
Year: Senior
Kruger tied for eighth and led Ballard with an 18-hole round of 78 at the 2023 3A district meet in Atlantic.
For the season his averag 9-hole score of 44.03 was third on the team. Kruger's 18-hole average of 83.67 was tops on the team in 2023, and his senior leadership could carry the Bombers over the top in their bid for a 3A state meet berth in 2024.
Braylen Loots, Roland-Story
Year: Junior
Loots was the top golfer for the Roland-Story boys in 2023.
As a sophomore, Loots tied for 10th at the 2A sectional meet in Lake Mills with an 18-hole score of 83 and he placed 17th at the HOIC meet with a 97. Loots' average 9-hole score in 2023 was 44.24 and his 18-hole average was 88.10.
Ryan Lynch, Gilbert
Year: Junior
Lynch became one of Gilbert's top golfers last year as a sophomore and is looking to do even better during his junior year.
At the 2023 3A state meet, Lynch placed in the top 20 individually. He tied for 17th with a 36-hole score of 162.
Hudson White, Gilbert
Year: Junior
Like Lynch, White also established himself as a key varsity contributor for Gilbert as a sophomore in 2023.
White placed in the top 40 at the 3A state meet. He tied for 34th after scoring a 171.
Zachary Wilson, Gilbert
Year: Senior
Wilson was the breakout performer for Gilbert at last year's 3A state meet.
Wilson earned himself a medal following the 3A meet held at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. He was Gilbert's top performer at the meet, shooting a 156 to end up placing sixth.
Brenden Wright, Ballard
Year: Junior
Wright was right with Kruger and Gatchel as Ballard's most consistent golfers in 2023.
As a sophomore, Wright had the best 9-hole average on the team at 41.70. He had an 18-hole average of 86.42 and if he can shave a few strokes off that average this season a trip to state could be in his future.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: 10 Iowa boys golfers to watch in the Ames area during 2024 season
