Boys golf: Lodi's Baron takes 7th at state

If he was feeling the pressure, Kogen Baron didn’t show it.

Taking it all in stride, the Lodi product finished seventh overall in Division 2 at the WIAA State Boys Golf Meet at Kohler.

“He was 6-over par for the tournament beating 45 of the 52 D2 competitors,” said Blue Devils’ head coach David Zilker. “Kogen played in his typical fashion of walking with his bouncing quick step and a big smile on his face. It’s always a joy to watch him play, because you can’t help but be happy just watching someone having fun playing a game that can go sideways in the blink of an eye.”

Baron qualified for state by shooting a 1-over 73 at the House on the Rock sectional, where the Blue Devils took third as a team and just missed advancing to Kohler as a team. Lodi shot a 339, as Trevor Kutz shot a 93 and classmate Sawyer Baron fired a 90. Walter Beld carded an 83.

“He was 10 over on the front and finished like he shot most of the year — only one over on the back,” said Zilker.

Kogen Baron’s 1-over 73 led the way for Lodi.

“Kogen was masterful as he stuck the 18th green in front of a crowd of observers to shoot that 73,” said Zilker. “Kogen’s score was good enough for second place in D3 and sixth place in the D1 field, shooting better than 190 of the 208-competitor field — something to be very proud of. The Lodi golf team always has competed with honor and respect for the golf courses we’re on, and the competitors that we’re competing with.”