The 5AA section golf meet teed off June 1 at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker. Sixteen teams competed on the warm, sunny day, all hoping to advance to day two on June 5.
Senior Mac Harmer came into the tournament hot, after scoring especially well the last couple weeks. Harmer played a very consistent round, scoring 14 pars on his way to a 74. Senior Tyler Albert had a strong 18 as well, shooting a 79 with two birdies. Freshman Luke Sunnarborg was right behind him with an 80, and junior Michael Proulx shot a season best 87. Senior Daniel Kaczanowski shot an 89,with freshman Dillon Peterson scoring a 90.
The four top teams plus the top individuals qualify to move on to day two. Mound Westonka’s team total of 320 was good enough to put them in third place, only one stroke behind second place Delano. Totino Grace totaled an impressive 289, slotting them in first. Watertown Mayer claimed the final spot with a 333.
To qualify for state in golf, you must be a member of the first place team, or one of the top five finishers who isn’t on the first place team. Harmer’s first round 74 put him in a great position to start the day, as the second place individual. Harmer notched four birdies en route to another 74, holding his place as the second individual qualifier, and fourth overall.
Sunnarborg came into day two tied for the sixth individual spot, one stroke behind state-qualifying fifth. He found two birdies at the end of the front nine, landing him in the coveted fifth spot, with a few others tight on his heels. The golfers jostled places throughout the back nine, ending the round with three tied at fifth. The tie meant a sudden death playoff, with only one advancing to state.
With a large crowd following along, Sunnarborg tied the first hole with Billy Ylitalo of Delano, with Carson Moscoso of Maranatha Christian Academy being eliminated. On the second tee box, Sunnarborg placed his drive in the middle of the fairway, while Ylitalo’s found the bunker. Sunnarborg’s second shot headed straight for the pin, and he two-putted for par. Ylitalo hit a wayward shot out of the bunker, resulting in a win for Sunnarborg, making him the final individual state qualifier.
In addition to Harmer’s 74, and Sunnarborg’s 79, Albert shot an 83, placing him in 16th overall. Peterson finished the day by sinking a long putt for an 89. Kaczanowski shot a 93, and Proulx finished with 95. The White Hawks maintained third place, with Delano earning second, and Totino Grace qualifying for state as a team. Totino Grace goes into the tournament as the number one ranked AA team, with their top three individuals ranked in the top ten.
Harmer and Sunnarborg will represent Mound Westonka at the AA state tournament on June 13-14 at the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan.
