Iowa City Liberty’s Joel Bilskemper lines up his shot before putting during the MVC Mississippi division boys golf meet last season at Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg.
Savannah Blake/The Gazette
The Iowa City Liberty boys golf program has gradually evolved since it began 10 years ago.
The Lightning have produced all-conference players, college athletes and winning seasons, growing from a roster of underclassmen with limited competitive golf experience to a record 51 players who tried to make the cut this fall.
Despite the growth and achievements, Liberty has not qualified a team or individual for the state tournament. A fact they hope to change this season.
“We definitely talk about it,” Lightning junior Joel Bilskemper said. “We know it’s there. We know it’s never been done. Everyone wants to make it and everyone wants to get that first and then hopefully, build the path for the future.”
The Lightning have potential for one of its best seasons, returning the four top players from a team that posted the program’s second-best team score a year ago. Liberty will open play at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet on Thursday at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Dubuque.
“They’re a good group of guys,” said Brian Wernimont, who has been the program’s only head coach. “It’s been fun to watch another group of kids that just enjoy playing golf with each other, and go out and kind of compete with each other on a day-in and day-out basis.”
This season comes with promise. Bilskemper and senior Brooks Andersen were second-team all-MVC performers and the top-two scorers last season. Kade Baxter was third and had pushed Bilskemper and Andersen at times. Sam Perry was a consistent fourth scorer, especially toward the end of last fall. They helped the Lightning post a 158.08 combined adjusted average, about two strokes of the program record set in 2023.
”It’s a good nucleus to work off of that came back from last year,” Wernimont said. “Obviously, they’ve seen some success, both with us as a team with what we saw ourselves doing and having a well over .500 record last year. and expect to do similar, if not even better, this year.”
The Lightning were a couple spots shy of a state team berth a year ago with Andersen and Baxter finishing a few shots back of individual qualifiers. It has been a source of motivation throughout the offseason.
“Being so close and just right there last year, some of us just didn’t play our greatest,” Andersen said. “We know that if we can just put that all together, I think we’ll have a great chance this season.”
Strong camaraderie and competitiveness helps push the Lightning players. They like to take the course and play for bragging rights. Something that Wernimont said allowed him to grow as a player.
”I think we all know we have a little bit of a competitive edge to everyone, but we try to keep it as friendly as we can,” Bilskemper said. “Being high schoolers, we can get heated out there, but I think we all know that we have each other’s backs.”
”We always want to try and beat each other or play better. That’s just how we kind of are. I think we all do want to be the best. It pushes us to keep getting better and stalling out.”
They have played tournaments throughout the offseason, which has its benefits as well. Practice rounds can’t mimic the pressure of the real thing.
”This group of guys has kind of embraced competition more than some other groups in the past,” Wernimont said. “Basically, the best thing you can do for a golfer to get better at competition is get yourself out there, and understand what it takes to compete, being out there under that stress of competition. If you’re not out there competing, you’re just not going to be ready once the season comes along.”
Bilskemper made a big jump between freshman and sophomore season, improving his combined adjusted average by almost four strokes. He went from fourth on the roster to No. 1.
“I think it’s just becoming more consistent, having less bad holes and tightening up my game,” Bilskemper said. “As I keep getting better and better and getting older, I set higher expectations for myself. I can go out there and play a solid round of golf, but I always think I can do better. I think that helps me go because I enjoy practicing, which some kids struggle with. Always wanting to get better and tighten everything up really helps having fun while practicing.”
Andersen owned the best average two seasons ago and was right behind Bilskemper as a junior. The senior has embraced a leadership role. Andersen is ready to share his experiences as a four-year varsity player.
“I’m just the oldest on the team,” Andersen said. “I see myself as being more of like a leader and just being more of a voice for the team, someone that they can all look up to when they’re unsure of something.”
Wernimont said the Lightning are not satisfied with just being good. They want to compete with the best and contend for titles. Bilskemper said everyone is on the same page, wanting to advance the program into unchartered territory.
The key is to work and take the little steps. It will eventually lead them to the ultimate goal.
“I think having a chance to go to state and have it be the first time in program history would be awesome,” Andersen said. “But you just have to trust the process and know that all is gonna work out.”