COON RAPIDS — Ponies coach John Scanlon likes to win, but he was anything but disappointed with the Stillwater boys golf team’s runner-up showing in the Section 4AAA tourament on May 28-29 at Bunker Hills Golf Club.
Cretin-Derham Hall put on an impressive display behind individual medalist Sam Udovich to outdistance the Ponies 576-606 for the title and a spot in the state tournament on June 11-12. Mahtomedi (612) and White Bear Lake (313) followed in third and fourth.
“It’s the happiest I’ve ever been about getting second,” Scanlon said. “We played incredible. That (total) would get us in (state) 21 out of 22 years that I’ve been coaching.”
Stillwater tied the Bears for third at 306 after the opening round behind the Raiders (293) and Zephyrs (300). The Ponies overtook two of those teams with a score of 300 on Day 2, but Cretin-Derham Hall continued their exceptional play with a 283 total to win going away.
Stillwater did advance two individuals for the state tournament, which is reserved for the top five players not on the qualifying team. Seniors Parker Trobec and Dane Berggren were the only seniors in Stillwater’s lineup and they extended their seasons and prep careers for two more weeks. The state tournament will take place on June 11 and 12, also at Bunker Hills.
Trobec finished at 145 (72-73) to tie Cretin-Derham Hall’s Joe Honsa (76-69—145) for third place behind Udovich (65-67—132) and White Bear Lake’s Jack Stanius (72-71—143).
Berggren (79-72) improved by seven shots in the second round to tie White Bear Lake’s Easton Fiddle (76-75) for eighth place at 151 to collect the final state bids. The other individual state qualifier was Jacob Wilson (74-72—146) of Mahtomedi, who placed fifth.
“Dane just hit the ball purely the second round and Parker played really well,” said Scanlon, who noted Trobec was paired with Udovich after his strong opening round. “He really played great. Parker’s swing is really fluid. He has a flowing, nice swing that is beautiful to watch. He played like he belonged with that guy out there.”
The coach said Berggren went to work between rounds and it paid off quickly on Day 2.
“He’s just a heads down, ferocious practicer and gets hard on himself when things don’t go quite right,” Scanlon said. “He figured out his grip was to strong and between the two rounds he figured it out. The first day he was tinkering with it a bit too much and a couple of bad shots cost him.”
Stillwater has relied on a balanced lineup all season and it was Trobec and Berggren leading the way at sections.
“We don’t really have any of our superstars shining, but everybody has kind of stepped up and for sections it was the seniors,” Scanlon said. “You feel nice for the seniors and it’s a continuation of their season.
“It was great to see the balance. All the guys played well. It was great.”
Ryan Stanek (77-78) and Luke Myers (78-77) tied for 11th place for Stillwater with totals of 155. Zeke Roberts (79-81—160) and Brendon Rickheim (80-83—163) placed 15th and 19th.
“He played really solid,” Scanlon said of Stanek. “He’s been great with us and I know all his important rounds were in the 70s.”
Stillwater last competed at state as a team in 2022, but advancing from the section was going to be a tall order. The Raiders dominated the Suburban East Conference, with the exception of a major miscue in one event that allowed the Ponies into position to claim the conference championship. It has been an enjoyable and rewarding season, the coach added.
“It’s just the result of the guys and really just voracious practicing and lessons and working on their game,” Scanlon said. “They deserve everything they got — and they’re the nicest, high-character kids, so they deserve everything. Especially with Dane and Parker, it was the result of their practice and their commitment.”
Team standings
1. Cretin-Derham Hal 293-283—576; 2. Stillwater 306-300—606; 3. Mahtomedi 300-312—612; 4. White Bear Lake 306-307—613; 5. St. Paul Highland Park 354-341—695. Did not make cut: 6. St. Paul Central 361; 7. Tartan 383; North St. Paul, Minneapolis South and Minneapolis Roosevelt, inc.
Individual standings (par 72)
Individual results
*1. Sam Udovich (C-DH) 65-67—132; *2. Jack Stanius (WBL) 72-71—143; *3, tie, Parker Trobec (St) 72-73—145 and Joe Honsa (C-DH) 76-69—145; *5. Jacob Wilson (Mah) 74-72—146; *6, tie, Jack Palen (C-DH) 77-73—150 and Miles Bollinger (C-DH) 75-75—150; *8, tie, Dane Berggren (St) 79-72—151 and Easton Fiddle (WBL) 76-75—151; 11, tie, Ryan Stanek (St) 77-78—155 and Luke Myers (St) 78-77—155; *14. Michael Markley (C-DH) 85-74—159; T15. Zeke Roberts (St) 79-81—160; 19. Brendon Rickheim (St) 80-83—163; *T25. Cameron Cassidy (C-DH) 88-84—172.
* state qualifiers
Contact Stuart Groskreutz at stuart.groskreutz@apgecm.com
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