Jefferson’s Nolan Hultgren posts rounds of 79, 76 in first Class AAA state meet appearance
Holy Angels golf fans had plenty of reasons to cheer on their favorite golfers as Stars eighth grader Elizabeth Fong tied for second place in the weather-delay-shortened Class AA state meet June 12.
The Ridge of Sand Creek in Jordan hosted the AA state meet which was reduced from the typical two-round 36-hole format to 27 holes while Pebble Creek in Becker hosted the single A meet.
Fong shared runner-up with International Falls senior Kelby Anderson with final scores of 115 strokes, just one shot back of state champion Lake City senior Jordana Windhorst Knudsen who used an even-par 36 on the second day to do just enough to pull out the victory on June 12.
Fong was lights out on the opening day carding a 2-over par 74 which included a run of four consecutive birdies to begin her back n holes. She added one more birdie on the 132-yard par 3 17th and a par on the 453-yard Par 5 18th hole to close at 2-under par.
She shared first place with Anderson with scores of 74, three shots ahead of Hawley’s Sophie Cook while Windhorst Knudsen was part of a group of three golfers four strokes back with a first-round 78.
Fong wrapped up her first state tournament going off the back 9 holes on Wednesday with a 5-over 41 which was good enough for a share of 16th place out of 84 golfers. Her lone birdie came on the 424-yard Par 5 Hole 16 with four bogeys and one double bogey.
Detroit Lakes captured the state team title ahead of Lake City by two shots (159-161) while Pequot Lakes was next, 12 shots off the winning pace.
In the boys standings, Holy Angels junior David Fong III shared a piece of 33rd place with a 27-hole score of 119. He was joined by seven golfers at that score among the field of 88 golfers.
Fong III was 40th after an opening round 9-over par 81 which included an even-par 36 off the front thanks to birdies on two of the final three holes. He posted two bogeys, two double bogeys, and a triple bogey on the back nine to finish with a 45.
Fong III regrouped on Wednesday going off the front once again with birdies on the opening 2-of-3 holes including a 415-yard par 4 hole two and 160-yard par-3 hole three. He posted a 2-over 38 (20th place) to wrap up his state appearance.
Hawley’s Jack Justesen beat out Holy Family’s PJ Herron by one stroke for the individual title while the Fire won the team title by 16 strokes. Blake was fourth with a 467.
Hultgren represents at state
Jefferson sophomore Nolan Hultgren carded rounds of 79 and 76 to grab a share of 36th place. His combined score of 155 matched Buffalo’s Russel Ylitalo, Rogers senior Drew Krekelberg, and Hastings’ Jon Harris among the field of 88 boys golfers in the Class AAA state field which took place at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids June 11 and 12.
Hultgren opened with a nearly flawless opening day carding 14 pars among the 18 holes, firing a 2-over 38 off the front and 5-over 41 on the back nine holes.
His lone birdie for the tournament came on the 535-yard par 5 hole six on June 12, finishing with a 3-over 39 on the opening nine holes. He wrapped up the tournament with a 1-over 37, recording eight pars.
Hultgren was five shots off the pace set by Waconia’s Jaden Ford who was 16th.
Edina junior Torger Ohe beat Centennial’s Cooper Daikawa by three strokes (135-138) to take the boys individual championship while Benilde-St. Margaret’s held off Waconia by one stroke (596-597) for the team trophy.
Maple Grove won the girls team title with a 611, beating Wayzata by 15 strokes and third-place Minnetonka (650).
Owatonna’s Carmen Jirele won the individual title, one stroke better than Maple Grove’s Amelia Morton while Simley’s Ms. Minnesota Golfer award recipient Reese McCauley tied for third place.
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