Althoff leads Bombers past K-W

CANNON FALLS — Thursday’s blustery conditions would have been problematic for Cannon Falls senior Andy Althoff a couple years ago because he hits his drives high.

“Maybe two years ago he’d just keep hitting that driver out of bounds,” Cannon Falls coach Lee Gisvold said.

Althoff showed he’s learned to adjust in the Bombers dual meet with Kenyon-Wanamingo at Cannon Golf Club.

He hit a low draw into the wind and on the par 5s he clubbed up two clubs.

“It worked really good on my driving to keep it low and underneath the wind,” Althoff said. “The clubbing up definitely works. It got it to the green for sure.”

Althoff earned medalist honors with a four-over par 39 and led Cannon Falls to a 176-186 victory over the Knights.

“He’s learned how to get through the nine or the 18 and try to keep that score as low as he can,” Gisvold said. “That’s just a grinder, a fighter.”

Althoff finished with back-to-back double bogeys on No. 6 and 7, a bogey, five pars and a birdie on No. 2, his first hole of the day.

“I just hit a perfect drive and a perfect second shot and I made the putt,” Althoff said. “That was the big thing too: I was making putts when I needed to.”

Mac Schwede ranked second for the Bombers with a 42. Noah Hendrickson carded a 47 and Tom Nelson finished with a 48. Mike Neuman (52) and Bennett Nelson (53) also golfed for the Bombers. All five are seniors.

Sophomore Walker Welch and senior Ben Fletcher led the Knights. Both carded a 45. Sophomores Andy Strand and Ben Kindseth each posted a 48.

“Walker Welch ended up having a good score today and we’ve been kind of waiting for Walker to do that,” assistant coach Peter Schleif said. “He’s got all the pieces of the puzzle. It’s just a matter of putting them into place.”

Jordan Baka (50) and Skyler Quamme (55) also represented K-W.

Tags: cannon falls, sports, golf, kenyon, wanamingo