Pine to Palm Spotlight - 2010

Pine to Palm

Spotlight vol. 64 no. 2

detroit lakes, minnesota

State-Bound

LAKERS

FRIday, august 13, 2010

2

Friday, August 13th, 2010

T.L. Solien peeks out from under his umbrella to watch the tee shot of John Stromstad during senior championship match play Thursday afternoon. Soaking rains delayed play in all divisions all day long. photos by BRIAN BASHAM SPOTLIGHT

First round of match play runs into Friday Rain delays force a late start for field of 64

BY BRIAN WIERIMA

brianw@dlnewspapers.com

There was a big carrot at the end of a stick for the Pine to Palm match play Championship qualifiers to beat their opponents Thursday, besides the obvious reward of advancing in the bracket.

It was a chance to sleep in, while the others had to toil in the early-morning hours to finish off their matches.

After a bevy of storm delays throughout the first day of bracket play at the Detroit Country Club, the Championship field wasn’t able to start until around 4:30 p.m.

The golfers had to use a shotgun start, with groups of four starting on every hole and all starting at once.

It was decided by Pine to Palm Committee Chairman Bob Gorden as dusk drew near, that the unfinished matches would resume where they left off Friday at 6:30 a.m.

So, in essence, it will be an early riser for the Championship field — all except for four golfers, that is.

Each of defending champion Tom Hoge, Pat Deitz, Todd Hillier and Mason Kennedy finished their opponents off in dominating fashion and more importantly, before the siren went off signifying the end of play for Thursday.

“It’s nice, now I’ll be able to get a little sleep when the others are playing,” Hoge said of the advantage of winning Thursday.

Hoge remained on his torrid pace in first round of action, as he finished off Philip Haug 6 and 5.

Nothing was normal about Thursday’s schedule, as Championship flight golfers had to wait around for about five hours for the string of storm cells to pass through.

But even a long layoff couldn’t curb Hoge’s momentum, as he promptly sunk two birdies on the two starting holes and went from there.

“Those two birdies really set the pace,” Hoge said. “I played pretty well,

despite getting here at the golf course at 11 a.m. and waiting five hours to start.”

Deitz was also anxious to build an early lead and hopefully win before the night was called.

“I heard from a few guys that the matches were possibly going to resume early the next morning, so I was hoping to get the match over quickly,” Deitz said. “Now, I can sleep in.”

Deitz held true to his goal of a quick start, too, by winning the first four holes on Miller, then kept the pressure on by playing aggressive to the pin.

The Concordia College golfer chipped in on 12 to halve the hole, despite Miller sinking a 20-foot eagle putt, to keep the pressure fully on.

Hillier’s patience paid off with a first-round win, but he said it was a challenge to keep your focus sitting around waiting for the first tee.

“It was difficult, everyone wanted to get out and play, but you had to tell yourself, sit and be patient,” said Hillier, who is from Hoople, N.D. Hillier’s game resembled the usual winning formula during match play, with accurate shots off the tee and consistent putting, which resulted in him shooting five-under par and no bogeys.

“My first drive was in the trees, but I was able to punch out and save par on a 12-foot putt, so that really set the tone,” Hillier said.

He won hole two, then went on a five-hole win streak on five through nine to put the match to bed.

“I’m fortunate that I will have a normal day and not have to get here early,” Hillier said of tomorrow morning’s early tee times.

The majority of matches have four or five holes remaining, with the second round slated to start at 1:19 p.m.

Championship to page 3 ➤

Mason Kennedy rolls a putt during Thursday’s Pine to Palm match play.

Friday, August 13th, 2010

3

PHOTOS BY BRIAN BASHAM/SPOTLIGHT

Defending Pine to Palm champion Tom Hoge eyes his drive on the par five first hole Thursday afternoon. ➤ Championship from page 2 The inclement weather started early in the morning, with the first delay at 7:41 a.m.

The Mid-Am, Senior and Super Senior Division championship play all started in

the morning, but eventually had two weather delays.

That led to Gorden prematurely ending all those matches after over an hour after the second delay, with whoever was leading at the time, declared the winner.

In the end, time just ran out.

“I know there was some disappointment in that those divisions couldn’t finish their matches, but we had to do it because we also have to look at the rest of the players and field,” Gorden said of the decision to end those matches early.

Pat Deitz of Fargo lines up a putt during his Thursday match against Jon Miller.

Pine to Palm co-medalist Wade Walters watches his tee shot fly down the 11th fairway during Thursday’s championship match against Russ Newman.

Mike Holm, above, looks to the ground as his putt on the par five first hole came up just short of the hole during his Thursday match against Logan Palmer. Clinton Boutelle, left, blasts out of a greenside bunker on the 10th hole at the Pine to Palm Thursday afternoon.

4

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Ready or not, Mid-Ams advance to 2nd round Storms cut 1st round short in Pine to Palm

BY BRIAN WIERIMA

brianw@dlnewspapers.com

As it turns out, golf isn’t meant to be played in the water.

The all-day rain at the Detroit Country Club cut short the majority of Pine to Palm Mid-Am championship match play Thursday, with some matches already out of hand and others very close.

The top two seeds survived as defending champion Jay Olafson downed No. 16 seed Brad Solheim 6 and 5, while medalist and Concordia College head men and women’s golf coach Duane Siverson outlasted Miles Schacher 2-up with three holes to go.

With play being interrupted twice due to lightning, it was decided by the Pine to Palm Committee to cut short the Mid-Am, Senior and Super Seniors match play to allow the Championship flight take off on a shotgun start.

All matches which were stopped on the second delay, they in essence were officially ended.

For Siverson, he didn’t feel his match play performance wasn’t as good as his two-day

photos by BRIAN BASHAM/SPOTLIGHT

Craig Stein hits his tee shot on the first hole during his Thursday match against Bob Cavanagh. Stein beat Cavanagh 1-up to advance in Mid-Am play at the Pine to Palm. qualifying medalist score of two-under par 140, but it was more than enough to advance to the second round.

“I wasn’t hitting the ball like I was the first two days, but I was able to make some tough par putts, which maybe frustrated him a little because

he thought he had that hole,” Siverson said. “But I wasn’t hitting the ball well off the tee and was scrambling most of the round.

“I just needed to grind it out today.”

Siverson took a one-up lead with a birdie on five, which

lasted at the turn (Mid-Am had a shotgun start and started on various holes) and took a 2-up lead with a par on 10.

The Cobber coach lost 11, but won each of 12 and 13 to take a commanding 3-up advantage and ended up winning 2-up on 18 before the match

prematurely ended.

“This was my first match and my first win, but my strategy isn’t going to change, I just need to do better off the tee,” Siverson said.

No. 3 seed Mike Seelye played a familiar opponent in last year’s medalist winner Otis Hesteness.

Both golfers are members of the DCC and know the course well, but it was Seelye who came out on top 3-up.

Seelye kept up his solid play in the Pine to Palm after his even-par 142 qualifying score, by carding five birdies in the match, including a chip in on 11.

“Otis is a solid player and I knew I had to play well to beat him,” Seelye said. “I was happy with the way I was hitting it, despite the rain and will just have to take it one match at a time.”

There were three matches decided with 1-up wins, as Craig Stein topped Bob Cavanagh, Chad Niles downed last year’s runner-up Kent Fronk and Perry Piatz nipped Keith Aasen.

AJ Greff won 2-up over George Strand and Wade King was a 3-up winner over Scott Linnerooth in the final two matches.

Friday’s quarterfinals will pit Olafson against Greff; Stein against King; Siverson versus Niles and Seelye against Piatz.

2010 Pine to Palm Mid-Am Championship #1 Jay Olafson Jay Olafson, 6 & 5 #16 Brad Solheim #8 George Strand

AJ Greff, 2-Up

#9 AJ Greff #4 Bob Cavanagh Craig Stein, 1-up #13 Craig Stein #5 Scott Linnerooth

Wade King, 3-up

#12 Wade King #2 Duane Siverson Duane Siverson, 2-up #15 Miles Schacher #7 Chad Niles Chad Niles, 2-up #10 Kent Fronk #3 Mike Seelye Mike Seelye, 3-up #14 Otis Hesteness #6 Perry Piatz

Michael Seelye watches his tee shot on the par five first hole during his Mid-Am match against Otis Hesteness Thursday at the Pine to Palm.

Perry Piatz, 1-up #11 Keith Aasen

2010 Mid-Am Champion

Friday, August 13th, 2010

5

Top two Senior seeds fall like the rain

BY BRIAN WIERIMA

brianw@dlnewspapers.com

No seed was safe in the Pine to Palm Senior championship match play, as the top two seeds were eliminated Thursday.

But the losses were affected by timing — bad for the losers and good for the winners.

Due to inclement weather which plagued the Detroit Country Club all morning and afternoon long, every morning match was cut short after a couple of long rain delays.

Senior medalist recordbreaker John Stromstad couldn’t repeat his magnificent qualifying performance, where he shot a six-under par 65 to eclipse Robert Wernick’s 1999 mark of 68.

Stromstad fell down one to Burke Kiger late in the match, which ended prematurely because of the weather.

“I didn’t play well today and probably deserved to lose,” a frustrated Stromstad said.

“I would have liked to have played the final four holes, but what could have (the Pine to Palm Committee) done?

“They run a first class tournament and it’s a hard job getting 400-plus players on the course. I have no excuses and I didn’t play well.”

Ron Burnside made sure there will be a new Pine to Palm Seniors champion after he defeated T.L. Solien 1-up with four holes to go.

Burnside won the decisive hole in the back-and-forth match on hole two, before the match was called.

“I played in the Mahnomen Short Stop Tournament a

Larry olin

tim rubis

Burke Kiger hits a drive during his Thursday Senior championship match against John Stromstad. Kiger won the match 1-up to advance in the senior bracket.

couple of weeks ago with my brothers, which was cut short to nine holes, so we have to appreciate getting more than that in today,” Burnside said.

Burnside took a 1-up lead with par on 18, but lost one to pull back to even, with five holes remaining.

A birdie on hole two put the Detroit Lakes’ golfer 1-up, before the siren pulled all the golfers off the course for the final time.

“I was the last one in match play after playing pretty well in qualifying, which was in the rain, so today didn’t really

bother me,” a smiling Burnside said. “Today’s conditions were made for me.”

This is Burnside’s debut in Senior’s play, as well.

“It’s a bracket-full of good players, so it will be a tough one,” Burnside said.

No. 3 seed Clint Nelson sur-

vived, though, winning 3-up over Rick Crawford, while No. 4 John Schwankl lost to Fargo’s Tim Rubis 5 and 4.

Other match scores included Larry Olin winning over John Hagge 1-up; Mike Stirling topping Dan Elton 2-up; Conrad Lopes over Ron Galuska 6 and 5 and Rob Harris downing Spencer Clark 6 and 5.

The quarterfinals Friday will set up like this: Burnside versus Olin; Rubis versus Stirling; Kiger against Lopes and Nelson against Harris.

2010 Pine to Palm Senior Championship #1 TL Solien ron burnside, 1-Up #16 ron burnside #8 larry olin

larry olin, 1-up

#9 john hagge #4 john schwankl Tim rubis, 5 & 4 #13 Tim rubis #5 mike stirling

mike stirling, 2-up

#12 dan w elton #2 john stromstad burke kiger, 1-up #15 burke kiger #7 conrad lopes conrad lopes, 6 & 5 #10 ron galuska #3 clinT nelson clinT nelson, 3-up #14 rick crawford #6 spencer clark

Larry Olin eyes down a drive during his Senior championship match against John Hagge Thursday afternoon.

rob harris, 6 & 5 #11 rob harris

2010 Senior Champion

6

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Play, then wait

chuck renner

ted hatlen

james “lank” larson

paul krueger

Super Seniors trimmed to last 4 Quest for championship will pick back up Saturday

BY BRIAN WIERIMA

brianw@dlnewspapers.com

Ted Hatlen has seen many different things during the Pine to Palm Golf Tournament and the addition of the Super Seniors Division is a very welcomed one by the longtime tourney player.

Even though the first –ever Super Seniors match play round was partially wiped out by stormy weather, the feeling is mutual of the newly created division among the elders of the Pine to Palm as there were 26 entrants, a solid number in the first year.

Hatlen was amongst the four winners Thursday under

cloudy skies during the quarterfinals of Super Senior play, along with medalist Chuck Renner, James “Lank” Larson and Paul Krueger.

“I just made a lot of pars,” said Hatlen, who sunk 10 of 11 par putts on his way to a 5-up win over William Ericksen. “I hit almost every green, which is good, especially in this weather.”

Renner, who won medalist laurels with a two-over par 73, won 2-up over John Lieser, as Larson downed Owen Germundson 5-up.

Krueger also played par golf, while his opponent Ron Smedshammer struggled in an 8 and 6 loss.

“(Smedshammer) just had a bad day,” Krueger said. “I’m also expecting a very tough match tomorrow.”

Hatlen will face Renner in the upper-bracket semifinal match, while Larson with play Krueger in the bottom bracket.

Overall, the Super Seniors Division has had a positive tone.

“It was a great idea to add the Super Seniors and most of the guys who are in it, have played the Pine to Palm,” Hatlen said. “They’ll work the kinks out, too. There’s been very competitive play.”

2010 Pine to Palm Super Senior Championship #1 chuck renner chuck renner, 2-up BRIAN BASHAM/SPOTLIGHT

Conrad Lopes watches his drive on the first hole during his Thursday Pine to Palm senior championship match against Ron Galuska. Lopes won the match 6 and 5.

#8 john lieser

#4 ted hatlen ted hatlen, 5-up #6 william ericksen

#2 james “lank” larson james “lank” larson, 5-up

2010 Super Senior Champion

#7 owen germundson

#3 paul krueger paul krueger, 8 & 6 #5 ron smedshammer

mark larson/SPOTLIGHT

rain delay stalls the Pine to Palm Tournament.

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Clinton Boutelle and Wade Walters watch Ben Bergquist’s drive on the 11th hole during match play Thursday afternoon.

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Between shots, conversation

Photos by Brian Basham Conrad Lopes and his Senior championship opponent Ron Galuska share a laugh between rain drops on the first tee box Thursday afternoon.

Jeff Lamp, left, and Mason Kennedy talk while waiting on the 10th tee box during Thursday’s championship match play.

Tom Hoge, right, laughs at Greg Melhus’ story during a delay in Pine to Palm championship qualifying Tuesday afternoon.

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Friday, August 13th, 2010

s t o h s p chi

flight Results SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

RON BURNSIDE, COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. def. T L SOLIEN, MADISON, Wis. 1 up LARRY OLIN, EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. def. JOHN HAGGE, FERGUS FALLS, Minn. 1 up TIM RUBIS, FARGO, N.D. def. JOHN SCHWANKL, BATTLE LAKE, Minn. 5 and 3 MIKE STIRLING, FARGO, N.D. def. DAN ELTON, MOORHEAD, Minn. 2 up BURKE KIGER, ALEXANDRIA, Minn. def. JOHN STROMSTAD, BISMARcK, N.D. 1 up CONRAD LOPES, LONG BEACH, Calif. def. RON GALUSKA, CHANHASSEN, Minn. 6 and 5 CLINT NELSON, FARGO, N.D. def. RICK CRAWFORD, SAN MARCOS, Calif. 3 and 2 ROB HARRIS, EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. def. SPENCER CLARK, DETROIT LAKES, Minn. 6 and 5

MID-AM CHAMPIONSHIP

JAY OLAFSON FARGO, N.D. def. BRAD SOLHEIM, WACONIA, Minn. 6 and 5 AJ GREFF, MOORHEAD, Minn. def. GEORGE STRAND, MOORHEAD, Minn. 2 up CRAIG STEIN, MOORHEAD, Minn. def. BOB CAVANAGH, PERHAM, Minn. 1 up WADE KING, PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. def. SCOTT LINNEROOTH, BOZEMAN, Mont. 3 and 2 DUANE SIVERSON, MOORHEAD, Minn. def. MILES sch-

acher, HAWLEY, Minn. 2 up CHAD NILES, OXBOW, N.D. def. KENT FRONK, JAMESTOWN, N.D. 1 up MICHAEL SEELYE, DETROIT LAKES, Minn. def. OTIS HESTENESS, MISSION, Texas 3 and 2 PERRY PIATZ, OXBOW, N.D. def. KEITH AASEN, BISMARcK, N.D. 1 up

NAMED FLIGHTS

THOMAS P SOLIEN, MOORHEAD, Minn. def. JAY W PETERSON, BIG LAKE, Minn. 1 up BILL SCHOMMER, LAKEVILLE, Minn. def. TIM CARLSON, PLYMOUTH, Minn. 3 and 2 AARON BURNSIDE, DETROIT LAKES, Minn. def. PAUL UITHOVEN, BOZEMAN, Mont. 1 up THOMAS LIUDAHL, SHOREVIEW, Minn. def. ERIC KING, POWER SPRINGS, Ga. 2 up

LIDA FLIGHTS

RICK JOHNSON, MOORHEAD, Minn. def. KEN RIESBERG, MESA, Ariz. 1 up WILLIAM BLAKE, DETROIT LAKES, Minn. def. PHILIP BAILEY, BOZEMAN, Mont. 3 and 2 LUTE SIMLEY, WEST FARGO, N.D. def. BRUCE CARLISLE, FARGO, N.D. 1 up RICHARD D MCCONN, MCLEAN, Va. def. BOB JAMISON, LAKE PARK, Minn. 2 and 1

Beau Hanson clinches Class 1A championship

BY BRIAN WIERIMA

brianw@dlnewspapers.com

There was a lot of silver lining in some stormy clouds in Becker Thursday during the Class 1A state boys’ golf meet.

Or should that be golden lining?

Hornet sophomore Beau Hanson won Frazee’s first-ever state golf championship, after he clinched the Class 1A individual title Thursday with a one-under par 71.

It just came in an unusual way.

After carding a one-under par 71 in the first round of the meet Wednesday at the Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, day-two action was lost due to severe thunderstorms.

Since all the golfers were not playing the same holes, because they started on holes one and 10, all scores from Thursday were nullified and the meet turned into an 18-hole tournament.

“It’s awesome,” Hanson said of winning the state title. “It feels great. It was a great year and everything went right.”

Hanson wasn’t playing his best golf, either, Thursday. But neither was it a good day for many golfers, due to 25-mile per hour gusts.

“I mostly couldn’t putt, I had a lot of three putts (Thursday),” Hanson said. “Everything just felt a bit off.”

But that didn’t matter for Hanson, whose first day one-under par 71 ruled the tournament.

And sometimes luck is better than being good — although Hanson has the good part down already.

Striking his second tee shot of the day, Hanson’s ball started to loft towards the rough and into some trouble.

But luckily, the shot was corrected after hitting the cart path, then a tree, which deflected his ball back onto the fairway.

Ultimately, it saved par for Hanson — who was coming off a first hole birdie — and started off a day which ended with him in first place among the Class 1A state boys’ golf

Larson’s

field.

Hanson stood alone on top after stroking a one-under par 71 Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker.

Hanson led both Jesse Roscoe of Ortonville and Dillon Schultz of Springfield by two strokes, after he carded a 36 on the front nine and a 35 on the back.

But a birdie on hole one gave Hanson the inside track of gaining valuable momentum, while another birdie on hole five injected a whole lot of confidence for the rest of the day, as he was two-under par after five.

“That first hole birdie really got things going,” Hanson said.

“It helped me a lot and got me in a zone. The birdie on hole five gave me a lot confidence, too.”

The Frazee sophomore hit some rough patches to finish his front nine, making bogey twice to go even par at the turn.

But he started getting back on track for his final nine holes to finish with a 35 and a one-under 71.

“I was more calm on the back nine and my drives were straighter and I was hitting my irons closer to the hole,” Hanson said. “My putting wasn’t as good, but I was closer to the hole anyways.”

Hanson finished with 30 putts on the day and missed only four greens in regulation, as well.

Shooting a one-under 71 — the same score with which he won the Section 8-1A title — was satisfying, but not even close to his final goal.

“I’m just going to do the same thing (Thursday) that I did today and keep in the same routine,” Hanson added. “I’m not going to think about anyone else’s score and just play my game.”

Frazee sophomore teammate Zack Ziegler finished his first-day round shooting at 43-46-89, which ties him for 56th.

Ziegler’s day started off a bit shakier than Hanson’s, after he hit water on his first hole.

But he made par on his second and third holes to get him back on track.

Weather turns ugly during P2P n John Lieser, 1971 Pine to Palm Champion is entered in this years tourney, 39 years later in the Super Senior division at the age of 66. Lieser defeated Bill Waryan of Minneapolis, brother of former D.C.C. pro Jack Waryan 1-up.

Lieser, then 27 years old, is a retired English instructor at St.Cloud and still is the golf coach at Apollo H.S.. In the championship match he needed only 26 putts to ease past the 46 year old Waryan.

Lieser shot a 79 on Wednesday to take the final spot in the first year of the Super Senior Championship flight at the P to P. He met the No. 1 seed and medalist Chuck Renner of Phoenix, Ariz. Lieser, a long time basketball official was voted into the Minnesota Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009.

Welcome back John!

n Mark Holm, Head Professional at Detroit Country Club aced the 14th hole on April 1, on the opening day of the spring at D.C.C. Holm recorded his third hole in one of his golfing career with a 7 iron. Witnesses to his ace were Tom Hanson, Pete Lloyd and Pat Kenney. Congratulations Mark! n The weather (torrential rain and lightning) we’ve experienced at the Pine to Palm in 2010 reminds the players, fans and the committee of 1999. In the year before the next millennium, 540 golfers were registered for the Pine to Palm (still the record for most players in 78 years of the P to P). We had 18 hole qualifying instead of 36 and most matches were 9 holes on Thursday. Wednesday’s entire round was rained out and Friday was cold and windy to make conditions tough for the second round of match play. Let’s hope for sunshine today through Sunday.

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9

Young Laker girls’ golf team proves they are up and coming

BY BRIAN WIERIMA

brianw@dlnewspapers.com

A crowd was gathered around the Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course’s holding pond near the 18th green to watch the Class 2A championship Minnewaska girls’ team do the traditional jump into the algae-thick water.

Included in that crowd were the Detroit Lakes girls’ golf team, holding their heads high as well, after finishing third in the state with a score of 726.

That trip into the Ridges at Sand Creek pond is one the Lakers want to make one day, but for now, they are more than happy and proud for taking state bronze this year.

“It’s unbelievable we are able to do this with how young this team is,” said DL eighth grader Trisa Hutchinson. “It’s amazing what we were able to do at this age, just wait until we are seniors.”

It’s a sentiment held by many state observers this year, after seeing a Laker team made up of four eighth graders, a seventh grader and a sophomore.

“When we were being introduced (Wednesday) before the first round, they were mentioning our grades and a lady sitting in front of us said, ‘Yep, they’ll be back,’” said sophomore — and eldest golfer on the team — Courtney Hedstrom. “This state experience is huge for our future. We still need to work that much harder in the summer and keep getting better.”

The Lakers fended off a torrential wind and hard-charging Albany squad, which finished fourth at 21 shots off DL. Hedstrom led the way for the Lakers with a 176, after carding a 90 Thursday to take 30th overall.

Hutchinson finished strong by making two pars in her final three holes to shoot a 93 Thursday and a 181 total for 40th overall.

Eighth grader Natalie Roth had a breakout meet, after she stroked an 89 Wednesday and a 95 Thursday for a team third-best 184 and 44th overall.

Eighth grader Matty Tschider rounded out DL’s team score with a 185 for 47th, while seventh grader Sydney Busker fired a 203 for 68th and eighth grader Emma Thompson a 219 for 77th.

“These girls gained the experience of learning how to play under pressure and on a tough course in some tough conditions,” said DL head coach Jen Hendrickson.

“This is great motivation for them to work hard in the summer.”

The wind certainly made its self known — in the form of 30-35 mile per hour gusts — with elevated scores throughout the tournament, but the

Connor Hedstrom chips up to a green during the Section 8-2A golf meet in Walker earlier this spring.

Laker boys live and learn at State meet Trisa Hutchinson watches a drive during the Section 2-A meet at Longbow Golf Course in Walker earleir this spring.

DL girls played more than well enough to claim their second third-place finish in three years.

“This is the windiest day I’ve ever played in,” Hutchinson said. “You just have to adjust your swing, but it even affected your putting.”

After Roth shot her second 89 of the season, she came back Thursday and beat her Albany counterpart in her group by 17 strokes.

“I felt more pressure today after shooting my 89,” Roth said. “I just was playing for the team and wanted to do the best for the team.”

Roth keyed her round Thursday by making three straight pars on holes 12-14, while just missing a five-foot birdie putt on 13.

“I just get into a groove and start believing I can do it,” Roth said of her strong streak on the back nine. “The ball just goes where I want it to go.”

DL assistant coach Cali Harrier has seen Roth improve all season, and peaking at state was a great way to cap the year.

“All season, Natalie would turn it on after the third hole and she just has improved all season long,” Harrier added.

Hedstrom said the team was more than ready to clinch the bronze after heading into the final round 17 strokes up on Albany.

“We just came in with our heads up high and wanting to represent Detroit Lakes as well as we could,” Hedstrom said.

With this season’s berth in the state and the chance to make the podium, the Lakers had the opportunity to watch the current dynasty at work in Minnewaska, which won its fifth-straight state title, and had the co-medalists of the meet in Sarah Roering and Allie Ostrander with a six-over par 150.

DL was able to see how the Minnewaska golfers approached each shot and eventually, make that jump into

the pond, which has become tradition for Class 2A champions to do.

“For one, we know we have to do better than we did this year,” Roth said of the team’s chances of returning to state for the next few seasons. “But we know we can do it.”

Hedstrom, who had the opportunity to golf with Roering, said it was a great experience she and her teammates can take into the next several years.

“It was fun playing with some great girl golfers,” Hedstrom added. “Maybe we can be the next Minnewaska. I know we would love to follow in their footsteps.”

But the state berth was more than extra gravy, with an added helping of a thirdplace finish.

It’s just another step in the rapid progression of one of the youngest teams in the state.

“They were just able to experience state and take it all in,” Harrier said. “Most players never get to experience state their entire careers.”

There is lots of work yet to do for these young Lakers, but they are well on their way to that dirty pond near the 18th green at Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course.

Laker results

Class 2A state girls’ golf meet at Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course, Wednesday-Thursday, June 16-17.

Team results — Minnewaska 632, Red Wing 647, Detroit Lakes 726, Albany 745, Hermantown 765, Becker 785, Visitation 810, Mankato East 812.

Top 6 individuals (All-State) — CoMedalists: Sarah Roering (Mwska) and Allie Ostrander (Mwska) 150; Anna Laors (Breck) 154, Jordan Price (Byron) 159, Katie Kesti (Red Wing) 150, Sam Falk (Mwska) 161, Holly Karkela (Perham) 162, Marisa Toivonen (RW) and Danielle Brooks (RW) 163.

Laker results — 30. Courtney Hedstrom 176; 40. Trisa Hutchinson 181; 44. Natalie Roth 184; 47. Matty Tschider 185; 68. Sydney Busker 203; 77.

Emma Thompson 219.

BY BRIAN WIERIMA

brianw@dlnewspapers.com

A valuable lesson was learned by the Detroit Lakes boys’ golf team Thursday during the Class 2A state meet at the Ridges of Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan.

Play the first day like it’s your last one.

The Lakers finished in fifth place after having to use their first-day score of 315 when Thursday’s session was lost due to severe thunderstorms.

DL was making a push on Orono — which ultimately won the state title with a 292 — picking up 16 strokes on them and down only six when the meet was called.

But some golfers were on hole 11 and others on hole 16.

“We knew we could play better after (Wednesday),” said junior Connor Hedstrom.

“We played solid today and got back into the meet.

“We had up to three golfers in the top scores and nobody will see them. That’s disappointing.”

Minnesota State High School League officials decided to call the meet after about an hour and a half delay.

More storms were brewing and coming in by 6:40 p.m., when the officials decided to end the tournament and just make it an 18-hole one.

No holes could be counted from Thursday’s action because not everyone played the same ones.

There were a total of six teams within 14 strokes of each other after the first round, as DL occupied the fifth spot, but only three strokes out of fourth and three out of sixth.

But it was that first-day slow start which hurt the Lakers and their quest for a top spot in the state.

“We had some mistakes in the last three holes from several of our players,” said DL head coach Bob Gorden. “We needed to believe we were good and belonged here. I don’t know if our guys believed that, and maybe that led them to be hesitant on some of their shots.”

Freshman Karter Smith led the Lakers with a 37-40 for a five-over par 77 Wednesday,

and shot even par after his first nine holes to pull even with the two eventual medalists.

“Karter was on a medalist pace (Thursday),” Gorden said. “We knew we had to play solid after yesterday, and the guys played well.

“But we shot ourselves in the foot the first day.”

Freshman Austin Rusness and eighth grader Michael Herzog each finished with a 79 and tied for 39th.

Juniors Connor Hedstrom and Tanner Lane each carded an 80, while senior Nate Ginnaty finished with an 86.

“Michael Herzog shot as solid as anyone, but he lost one on hole 13 and had two double bogeys,” Gorden said.

“We had some slow starts, too, which maybe was caused by the lack of (state) experience.”

Lane was one of the Lakers who started slow, after striking a six-over par after five holes, but he recovered to finish just eight-over.

Smith was four-over par after five holes, but went on a string of 12 straight pars to finish with his 77.

“There’s a lot of disappointment, because we knew we could be better than this,” Herzog said.

Senior Jake Erickson of Holy Angels won the medalist honors with a three-under par 69.

But with their fifth-place finish official for the 2010 season, the Lakers will take something out of this tournament.

“This told us we need to play well on that first day, because you don’t know if you’re going to play that second day,” Hedstrom said.

Laker results Class 2A state boys’ golf meet at Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan, Wednesday-Thursday, June 1617.

State team results — Orono 292, Rochester Lourdes 304, Virginia 305, Holy Angels 312, Detroit Lakes 315, Fairmont 318, St. Cloud Cathedral 318, Luverne 334.

Laker results — 27. Karter Smith 37-40-77, Austin Rusness 39-40-79, Michael Herzog 38-41-79, Connor Hedstrom 40-40-80, Tanner Lane 42-38-80, Nate Ginnaty 45-41-86.

10

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Passolt discards ball, goes on to repeat win

BY Pat Miller

Bemidji Pioneer Sports Writer

There is a new Titleist golf ball in the pond to the right of the 15th green courtesy of Rick Passolt.

After an adventuresome journey from the tee to the green, Passolt decided that the ball was the culprit. He also determined that the best spot for the ball would be under water, where no one would be tempted to use it again.

“It was a bad ball. I had to get rid of it,” Passolt said.

As soon as he made the toss Passolt’s fortunes began to change during Saturday’s Executive Championship match against Curt Howard.

On No. 16 Passolt took a 1-up lead with a conceded par and one hole later he successfully defended his title with another conceded par.

“It was a dogfight and I knew it would be,” Passolt said of Saturday’s victory.

“I made a lot of putts and I needed to make every one of them.”

Not even the putter could save him on No. 15. His drive found the trees lining the right side of the fairway and dropped beside a pine tree.

With no other option, Passolt hit the ball left-handed and it rolled to the left side of the fairway.

His third shot went even further left and nestled at the base of another tree. Once again, his only option was to punch out left-handed.

His chip stopped nine feet from the cup and, after he missed the bogey putt, he conceded and bid the ball a suitable farewell.

“I’ve never hit two shots left-handed in a round, much less on the same hole,” Pas-

solt said.

Other than that one hiccup Passolt had a steady round.

“I made three putts over 20 feet on Saturday and without those there would have been a different result,” he said. “But, overall, I had a solid tournament.

“It feels good to successfully defend,” Passolt continued. “During my Birchmont career I’ve been beat up by the best of them. Pat Herzog beat me up. Rick Grand beat me up. Russ Simenson beat me up. I’ve taken my lumps but it feels good to win two in a row.”

Pat Miller/bemidji Pioneer

Rick Passolt, (left) and Curt Howard salute each other after Passolt claimed the Birchmont Executive title with a 2-up victory Saturday.

Winners of the 2010 Resorter golf tournament that was completed Saturday, August 7 were (l-r) Donald Constable, Men’s Division; Jon Freeman, Executive Men’s Division; Jon Empanger, Senior Men’s Division; Lincoln Johnson, Junior 10-12 Division; Matthew Bennett, Junior 13-15 Division; Sarah Roering, Women’s Division; and George Mikesh, Masters’ Division. Photo by Al Edenloff, Alexandria Echo Press.

Resorters Tournament crowns six new champions Forum Communications Co. report

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – Seven champions were determined in the Resorters Golf Tournament at the Alexandria Golf Club today, Saturday.

Six of them are first-time champions.

Only Jon Empanger of Chaska has won a Resorters division before and he now has seven trophies – five in the Executive Division and two in the Senior Men’s Division.

This year’s champions are: n Men’s Division – Donald Constable of Deephaven. He defeated Jim Lehman Jr. of Plymouth, last year’s division winner, 6-4 in the final. (In this morning’s semifinals, Constable defeated Dominic Todora of Woodbury 5-4, while Lehman defeated Jack Dressen of Edina 5-4.) n Women’s Division – Sarah Roering of Glenwood. She defeated Maggie Leland of Alexandria, last year’s division winner, 4-3 in the final.

n Executive Men’s Division: Jon Freeman of Chanhassen. He defeated Dave Dilley of Alexandria 6-5 in the final. n Senior Men’s Division: Jon Empanger, the division’s defending champion. He defeated Greg Mattson of Becker 1-up in the final. n Masters’ Division: George Mikesh of Scottsdale, Arizona.

He defeated Tom Eidsvold of Alexandria 1 up in 20 holes in the final. n Junior Ages 13-15 Division:

Matthew Bennett of Marshall. He defeated Tommy Brandabur of Minnetrista 5-4 in the final. n Junior Ages 10-12 Division: Lincoln Johnson of Chaska. He defeated Sam Franklin of Maple Grove 2-up in the final.

The Alexandria (Minn.)

Echo Press is owned by Forum Communications Co.

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Blake Kahlbaugh, right, low medalist boys 10 - 12 year old division with a 29. Kate Smith, right, low medalist, 13 - 18 year old division with a 33.

Thurs

Dark cloud over Ironman Players dodge raindrops during day one of the 40th Ironman Junior Classic The rain was persistent but the golfers overcame the dreary weather by getting in their qualifying scores during the 40th annual Ironman Junior Classic. There was not a moment today that the players did not dodge raindrops as Ironman Golf Course received close to an inch of rain.

In our 13 to 18 year old division, our own Kate Smith fired a 33 to secure the #1 seed for the eight person match play flight. Kate withstood a charge from Brian Clark but won 1 up in her first match. She will face Joe

Cahill in the morning as he won his first match convincingly.

The boys 10 to 12 year old division saw Blake Kahlbaugh shoot a sparkling 2 over 29 in the rain. He has a four shot lead entering the 18 hole stroke play final over Cole Johnson who fired 33.

Cole Hanson leads the 8 to 9 year old boys division with a 43, while Naomi Larson is seven in front of sister Emily with a 45 in the girls 8 to 12 year old division.

Better weather is expected on day two, the final round.

last name

first name

sex age city Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Eden Prairie

MN MN MN MN MN MN

Championship Flight Boys 8 & 9 year old division 43 Hanson Cole M 9 45 Burnside Hunter M 8 46 Bartels Parker M 8 47 Holt Brandon M 9 53 Henke Sam M 8 56 Longhenry Mark M 8 60 Westra Colton M 8 65 Tangen Caleb M 8

Grand Forks Detroit Lakes Oxbow Grand Forks Oxbow Bloomington Fargo Detroit Lakes

ND MN ND ND ND MN MN MN

Mahnomen W. Fargo Grand Forks Moorhead Brainerd

MN MN MN MN

Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes

MN MN MN MN MN

Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes Grafton Minneapolis Detroit Lakes

MN MN MN ND MN MN

Detroit Lakes Staples Eden Valley Moorhead Staples Staples Mahnomen

MN MN MN MN MN MN MN

Championship Flight Boys 10 - 12 year old division 29 Kahlbaugh Blake M 12 33 Johnson Cole M 12 36 Van Raden Adam M 10 36 Johnson Lucas M 11 37 Foley Joe M 12 First Flight Boys 10 - 12 year old division 41 Unruh Ben M 10 41 Cihak Isaac M 11 43 Paskey Ryan M 10 46 Justesen Carter M 10 47 Brooks Eli M 10 Second Flight Boys 10 - 12 year old division 48 Busker Sam M 12 50 Beisner Micah M 10 58 Krueger Micah M 9 63 Keeley Sam M 10 65 Nelson Alexander M 11 69 Price Kelvin M 11 13 - 18 year old division 33 Smith 37 Waverek 37 Wuertz 39 Cahill 43 Helling 46 Waverek 47 Kahlbaugh

Kate Dakota Tommy Joseph Kylee Cierra Nathaniel

F M M M F F M

11 13 13 13 14 15 13

Consolation Bracket 1 Kate Smith 33 8 Brian Clark 4 Joe Cahill 39 5 Kylee Helling 43 2 Dakota Waverek 37

Champion

7 Nathaniel Kahlbaugh 47 3 Tommy Weurtz 37 6 Cierra Waverek 46 matches to be completed on Friday!

state

Championship Flight Girls 8 - 12 year old division 45 Larson Naomi F 11 52 Larson Emily F 9 53 Busker Shelby F 8 71 Cihak Anna F 8 73 Price Kylee F 8 74 Schneider Viktoria F 8

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT- AGES 13 - 18

3rd place

11

Runner Up

mason kennedy, 6 & 5

#42

#60

#54 #22

#53

#21

#43

#11

#44

#38

#12

#27

#59

#37

#28

#6

#46

#45

#5

#51 #19

#14

#13

#20

#35

#36

#52

#62 #30

#61

#29

#3

#4

#41

todd hillier, 7 & 6

#55

#56

#23

#10

#9

#24

#39

#40

#47 #7

#48

#8

#58

#18

#17

#26

#50

#49

#57

#15

#16

#25

#34

#33

pat deitz, 8 & 7

#63 #31

#2

#64

Tom hoge, 6 & 5

LOWER BRACKET

#32

#1

UPPER BRACKET

Championship Field

2010 Pine To Palm 12 Friday, August 13th, 2010