(Photo by Jeff Hasselmann) Spencer junior Craig Cunningham keeps an eye on his tee shot on the par-3 8th hole Friday at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames during the first round of the Iowa Boys State Golf Tournament. Cunningham shot a two-day total of 168, and the Tigers placed fifth overall in the nine-team field. [Order this photo]

Starting one shot out of second place, the Spencer boys turned in their highest 18-hole round of the season Saturday at the Iowa Boys State Golf Tournament at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, firing a second-day 336 to finish fifth overall.

"We had a chance to really make a run at second place, but we had a bad front nine. That kind of shot us out of making any kind of move upward," said Spencer head coach Steve Bomgaars. "We shot 172 on the front nine and that was by far our worst 9-hole score of the year. They were trying, but nobody could get anything going. It might have been a case of trying to do too much."

Defending champion Ballard remained on the Class 3A throne, running away with its second straight state title with a 36-hole team total of 632. Ballard shot the fourth best score on day two, a 326, but led by 20 strokes over second place Pella after opening day. Ballard won by 12 strokes over Fairfield in 2007.

Clear Lake shot the best score Saturday, a 316, to finish second overall with a 645. Pella carded a 322 on the second day, finishing third overall with a 648. Washington turned in a 317 following a 333 to place fourth with a 650. Spencer carded a two-day total of 663 after an opening-round 327.

"The positives we can take from this state tournament are great. I don't think anybody has to hang their head about finishing fifth in the state," Bomgaars commented. "Once the guys get over the disappointment of Saturday, they're going to realize they accomplished a great deal, not only in the state tournament, but throughout the season."

Kirby Pettit of Carroll shot a 3-over-par 74 to win the individual championship by six strokes over Jake Thomas of Independence. Pettit held a two-stroke lead after a 1-under-par 70 on opening day. Thomas shot a first-round 72 and second-round 78 to finish second with 150. Zach Monson of Clear Lake placed third with a 151 after shooting 77 on Friday. Algona's Josh Manske and Pella's Aaron Smith each shot 155.

Spencer freshman Jay Monahan finished in the top 10, shooting a 157 to finish tied for sixth. Monahan shot 80 Saturday after carding a 77 on Friday. Monahan was one of four individuals who will return in 2009 to place in the top 10. Thomas, the runner-up, is a junior. Ballard's Devin Leland, who placed sixth with a 157, is a sophomore; Washington junior Braden Gaal placed ninth with a 158.

Michael Clark turned in Spencer's second lowest score Saturday, shooting an 84 to finish tied for 18th overall with a 164. Craig Cunningham placed in a tie for 27th with a first-round 82 and a second-round 86. Jordan Oltman shot 87 Saturday after Friday's 89, finishing tied for 38th with a 176. Jordan Bates placed four spots back, shooting 86 after an opening-round 91. Joe Clark finished with a 97 Saturday, finishing 52nd with a 36-hole total of 185.

"These kids really represented themselves, their school and their community very well," said Bomgaars. "Next year we'll have a goal to make a repeat appearance to state and hopefully the experience this year will do nothing but help."