Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids opened a state-of-the-art indoor facility this winter to help golfers work on their game when it was too cold or wet to play outside.

MJ Kamin of Washington and Maddie Bertsch of Xavier spent as much time there as they could and are glad they did.

Kamin and Bertsch shot 11-over-par 83's and shared runnerup honors at the Linn-Mar Invitational Wednesday afternoon at Hunters Ridge to establish themselves as two of the top female golfers in the Metro this year.

Rachele Miller of Pleasant Valley won the tournament with an 8-over 80 to help her team claim the team championship.

The new facility at Elmcrest has three golf simulator bays, a large netted area, a putting area, computers and video. Golfers swing real clubs and hit real balls, but instead of being outside they're able to stay warm and dry.

"That was really helpful for me, just to be able to get out there and play an 18-hole simulated round every weekend," said Kamin.

Bertsch saw Kamin at Elmcrest this winter as both worked on their games. They both knew what they were there for: To get ready to battle each other this spring.

"We're friendly," said Bertsch. "I mean, we have to compete against each other, but we're friends."

Kamin is a four-sport athlete at Washington who competes in cross country, basketball, golf and soccer. She used to play softball, but gave it up.

"I do cross country to get in shape for basketball," she said. "I like playing basketball in the winter because I feel like without it I'd get too bored.

"And my two main sports - my two favorite sports, golf and soccer - I'm used to playing in the same season. I feel like I want to, and I should, do all four sports."

Kamin has to perform a juggling act at times to play golf and soccer on the same day. She was planning to play golf Tuesday afternoon at Hunters Ridge and then race to Kingston Stadium Tuesday night for a soccer game, but she caught a break when the golf tournament was delayed until Wednesday.

"It hasn't been that stressful yet," she said. "It hasn't been too hectic, but honestly May is probably going to be a little more crazy. It's not too bad right now."

Bertsch also plays basketball and helped Xavier win the Class 4A state title this year.

"It was awesome," she said with a bright smile. "Hopefully we can do it again next year."

Kamin stood at even-par through eight holes Wednesday, but took a triple-bogey on the ninth hole and shot 39-44 for her 83.

"It's not really the score I was looking for, especially after that start, but looking at everything it's not bad," she said.

It was the first competitive 18-hole tournament of the season.

"I'm not ecstatic about my round, but it was the first 18-hole meet," said Bertsch. "I know know ... I could have played a lot better. Overall, I guess I hit it pretty good."

Bertsch hit an errant wedge shot into the water on the seventh hole to partially mar her round.

Xavier finished second in the team standings. Grace Winker tied for sixth for the Saints with a 90.

Jordan Postma of Linn-Mar also shot a 90 to help the Lions finish in third place in the 11-team field. Ali Lindo of Kennedy placed eighth with a 92.

LINN-MAR INVITATIONAL

Team Standings
1. Pleasant Valley 349, 2. Xavier 372, 3. Linn-Mar 402, 4. Mid-Prairie 422, 5. Washington 431, 6. Kennedy 438, 7. Prairie 446, 8. North Scott 469, 9. Clinton 582, 10. Jefferson 506, 11. Marion 516.

Top 10 Individuals
Par-72
1. Rachele Miller, Pleasant Valley      80
2t. MJ Kamin, Washington                 83
2t. Maddie Bertsch, Xavier                83
4. Anna Cullinan, Pleasant Valey       87
5. Maddie Hurning, Pleasant Valley   89
6t. Grace Winker, Xavier                   90
6t. Jordan Postma, Linn-Mar             90
8. Ali Lindo, Kennedy                        92
9. Abby Elceser, Pleasant Valley      93
10. Maddie Gent, Mid-Prairie            96

XAVIER: Maddie Bertsch 83, Grace Winker 90, Hailey Sojka 99, Kara Zwanziger 100, Lisa Olberding 102, Morgan DeLong 104.

LINN-MAR: Jordan Postma 90, Emma Lorenz 99, Kristen Eiles 104, Lauren oughlin 109, Amanda Shannon 112, Georgia Kolf 112.

WASHINGTON: MJ Kamin 83, Kandis O'Donnell 112, Brett Visser 113, Courtney Chadima 123, Anna Rohde 133.

KENNEDY: Ali Lindo 92, Amanda Wiedemeier 111, Raemi Chavez 113, Morgan Schwab 122, Breanna Osterkamp 125, Avery Haefner 133.

PRAIRIE: Taylor Utter 106, Emily Machula 110, Emily Perrin 110, Jenna Niccolls 120, Sammie Farmer 125, Grace Lindgren 130.

JEFFERSON: Emily Aukes 107, Cassidy Simpson 130, Carly Beastrom 133, Lyndsey Lykkagaard 136, Hannah Hopkins 144, Alysha Lykkagaard 157.

MARION: Ash Ohl 107, Ashley Reed 122, Kaite Connelley 135, Haley Shaffer 152, Anna Martinson 153.