Kirkwood's Jordan Azbell, a sophomore who prepped at Western Dubuque, gets ready for a putt. The Eagles have high hopes for their spring campaign. (Kirkwood Community College photo)

Kirkwood Community College

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Kirkwood golf team ended the fall season on a high note and now is poised to continue that success during the 2013 portion of teh schedule.

The Eagles  finished in the top five of every tournament they played in, building momentum for this spring. Kirkwood finished the fall season ranked among the Top 10 nationally.

The Eagles are not, however, an overnight success story. They have had several successful seasons under Coach Darin Pint, including a regional title during the 2011-12 season.

“I think a ninth-place national finish was nice,” Pint said of the 2011-12 season finale. “But to win the region and finish with an overall record of 82-13, I would say it was a very good year.”

Sean Cleary (Tipperary, Ireland) and Mitch Jacobi (Belle Plaine) have established themselves as the veteran leaders of the team. However, Pint said, there is a good group of freshmen players that excelled on the golf course in high school. He looks to see contributions from Brian Schreck who played at Carroll Kuemper, as well as  Logan Baburek (Belle Plaine,) Kyle Jackson (North Cedar) and Sheldon Gryp (HLV) .

“Expectations are high,” Pint said. “With three returning national qualifiers back and a number of good players to push for playing time, I feel good about what this team can accomplish this year. We have to continue to work and play hard, but more importantly play for each other. If we do that then I’m sure good things will happen this year.”

Kirkwood opens the spring portion of the schedule March 24-25 with the Kirkwood Community College Classic at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion.