WEBSTER CITY – Alec and Avery Fuhs aren’t much different than most identical twins. They compete. They bicker. They do everything they can to get under the skin of the other.

But they also know one thing as fact – when one is in a pinch, he knows there’s at least one person that will always have his back.

It’s been that way for 18 years as they’ve matured into multi-sport athletes with enough honors and accolades to wallpaper a room, and that bond won’t be broken when they put on the caps and gowns in May.

The Webster City seniors both signed letters of intent on Tuesday to play college golf at Des Moines Area Community College in Boone. They looked at a number of schools, but the criteria for all suitors was the same – a package deal.

DMACC head golf coach Larry Briley was only too happy to agree.

“They knew they wanted to stay fairly close to home and they knew they wanted to stay together,” Webster City boys’ golf coach Dave Brighton said of his two prized pupils. “They wanted to play where they could receive some scholarship money and then maybe move on to a larger school in the future. Both would like to go on and see how far they can go in golf.”

Choosing one twin over the other on the golf course would be a near impossibility.

Alec and Avery Fuhs were the leaders of Webster City’s 2015 golf team that captured the Class 3A title – a wire-to-wire victory that was the first state championship for a boys’ team in school history. They’ll attempt to defend that crown, and perhaps compete for individual gold, in a few months.

But which twin is the better golfer? Each has his own opinion, but the truth is it’s a race that’s really too close to call.

“In reality, it’s a toss-up,” Brighton said. “They give each other a lot of static about who the better golfer is, but the truth is it depends on the day.”

Avery had the better 9-hole average – 36.14 to 36.86 – last season. Alec held the 18-hole average edge – 75.89 to 77.11.

Avery was the North Central Conference individual champion in May. It angered Alec enough that, the very next day, he went out and blew away the competition, his brother included, at the Lynx Invitational.

Alec got the better of the rivalry at districts and again at the state tournament where he tied for third. It’s not like Avery was too far off the pace; he tied for sixth at state, just a shot behind his brother.

Avery earned first-team all-state status from the Iowa Golf Coaches Association. Alec was placed on the second team.

“They do have similar games and they think a lot alike,” Brighton said. “They’re very competitive with each other and because of that they push each other to the limit.”

Alec has played in three state golf tournaments, Avery in two. As sophomores in 2014, they helped WCHS place third in the 3A field with – of course – matching 36-hole totals of 160.

They’ll continue to compete with one another in the months prior to the end of their prep careers.

Webster City will be the beneficiary of that competition.

And soon, it will be DMACC’s turn to reap the rewards.