Andrew Johannsen and Dowling Catholic claim 4A boys state golf titles

JOHNSTON — Andrew Johannsen was feeling the pressure when he stepped onto the 17th hole at the Hyperion Field Course during the final day of the Class 4A Iowa high school boys state golf meet on Oct. 14.

Johannsen had come from two strokes down to take the lead in the individual standings on the second and final day. But heading into the 17th, he had fallen back a stroke to put him in a three-way tie for first with North Scott’s Jaxon Adkisson and Waukee’s Jonathan Ward.

Johannsen knew he needed to finish the hole with at least a par to stay even.

He did one better.

Johannsen went on to sink an impressive putt on the green to birdie 17 and move back in front. Then he wrapped up the tournament by shooting par on 18 to secure the 4A individual state championship in his final season with the Dragons.

“Those last two holes (were) probably the most stressful 45 minutes of my life,” Johannsen said. “My whole body was shaking and everything was kind of numb. It was a surreal feeling.” 

After playing 36 holes over Oct. 13 and 14, Johannsen shot a 2-under par score of 142 to finish one stroke in front of both Adkisson and Ward, who both carded 143.

Johannsen shot a one-under 71 on both days. Adkisson shot rounds of 70 and 73 and Ward posted 69 and 74.

“Luckily, with all the practice and hard work, I was able to pull through,” Johannsen said. “It felt really good. Last year, I had a tough experience. It felt good to finally get one to go in and win it.” 

In 2024, Johannsen lost a playoff to Cedar Falls’ Anthony Galvin for the 4A individual title after they each shot an even par 144 over 36 holes at the Briarwood Golf Club in Ankeny.

“It hurt for about a week,” Johannsen said. “Then it motivated me to get stronger.” 

Johnston has now alternated between team and individual 4A state titles for the past four years. The Dragons won the team title in 2022 and 2024, and Owen Howe claimed the individual title in 2023 before Johannsen’s big victory on Oct. 14.

“It’s awesome,” Johannsen said. “We’ve got three really good coaches who have set up the program for success. We’ve got a new foundation that will help donate money to our team and things are looking good for the future.” 

Dowling Catholic claims 4A team title

Dowling Catholic claimed the 4A team title with a 15-over score of 598. The Maroons shot a 295 over the first 18 holes on the opening day to take a 7-stroke lead over Johnston. They carded a 303 on the second day to increase the lead.

The Maroons were motivated by a sixth-place finish at the CIML meet held Oct. 1 at the Beaver Creek Golf Club in Grimes. They had not had a meet at the Hyperion Golf Club this year, but after a heart-to-heart meeting, they came back and took first at the 4A district meet at the Copper Creek Golf Club in Pleasant Hill before going on to claim the 4A crown.

“It’s exhilarating,” said Dowling Catholic coach Ron Gray. “I’m just so happy for the kids.”

Three Maroon golfers placed in the top 10 individually. Dewell Anderson tied for fourth with a 3-over-par 147, AJ Sposato tied for sixth with a 148 and Elijah Anderson finished in a four-way tie for 10th with a 151.  

Dowling Catholic’s Charlie DePhillips tied for 18th with a 154, Ryan Fitzgerald tied for 21st with a 155 and Lucas McNulty tied for 75th with a 174. 

Johnston’s team score of 608 put the Dragons two strokes ahead of third-place Waukee Northwest (610) to finish in second place.

Top 10 individual Class 4A boys state golf scores (36 holes — Par 144):

1. Andrew Johannsen (Johnston) 71-71-142; 2. (tie) Jaxon Adkisson (North Scott) 70-73-143, Jonathan Ward (Waukee) 69-74-143; 4. (tie) Drew Larimer (Cedar Falls) 75-72-147, Dewell Anderson (Dowling Catholic) 72-75-147; 6. (tie) Landy Vegelaar (Waukee Northwest) 74-74-148, AJ Sposato (Dowling Catholic) 76-72-148; 8. Blake Cronin (Waukee Northwest) 75-75-150, Drake Jordan (DCG) 72-78-150; 10. (tie) Dylan Everitt (Pleasant Valley) 78-73-151, Jackson Zeller (DCG) 76-75-151, Elijah Anderson (Dowling Catholic) 73-78-151, Henry Baker (Johnston) 78-73-151.

Final 4A team scores (36 holes):

1. Dowling Catholic 295-303-598, 2. Johnston 302-306-608, 3. Waukee Northwest 310-300-610, 4. Pleasant Valley 306-307-613, 5. North Scott 309-306-615, 6. DCG 309-308-617, 7. Wahlert Catholic 317-304-621, 8. Cedar Rapids Xavier 320-312-632, 9. Norwalk 323-310-633, 10. Southeast Polk 324-316-640, 11. Linn-Mar 332-312-644, 12. Bettendorf 320-327-647.

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman