Boys golf: Stillwater places 20th at Bunker Hills

COON RAPIDS — The Stillwater boys golf team tied for 23rd out of 30 teams in the Bunker Hills Invitational on Thursday, April 11.

Spring Lake Park and Totino-Grace topped the field with matching scores of 286 while Maple Grove finished three shots back at 289. Five teams finished at 294 or lower, but the format of the tournament contributed to the low scoring on a course that is also the site of the Class AAA state tournament.

Teams each played 27 holes and an individual’s two best nine-hole scores were combined to produce the 18-hole total for each player.

“We didn’t perform too bad,” Ponies coach John Scanlon said. “We had our best rounds on the East and West nines and that’s what we’re trying to get ready for.”

Stillwater competed without some of its varsity regulars, but the coach was pleased with the depth on display with this lineup.

“It was a good test,” the coach said.

John Lillie and Axel Diehl each led the Ponies with a 79 while Brendon Rickheim was not far behind with an 80. Jeremiah and David Calderone each shot 82 while Gavin Salazar followed with an 85.

Tyler Gandrud of Anoka shot a 40 on the East course, but still claimed medalist honors after signing for a 33 and 34 on the West and North nines. He finished one shot ahead of Ryan Stendahl of Maple Grove and Lucas Arntsen of Chanhassen, who each carded a 68.

Stillwater was scheduled to compete in a Suburban East Conference match at River Oaks on April 16, but that will be made up as part of the East Ridge Invitational on Wednesday, April 24 at StoneRidge Golf Club. The Ponies are also scheduled to host an invitational in the morning and a conference meet in the afternoon on Monday, April 22 at Stillwater Country Club.

Team standings

1, tie, Spring Lake Park 286 and Totino-Grace 286; 3. Maple Grove 289; 4, tie, Waconia 294 and Chanhassen 294; 6. Blaine 301; 7, tie, Rogers 303 and Minnetonka 303; 9, tie, Elk River 305 and Mounds View 305; 11. Anoka 306; 12, tie, Eagan 307 and Shakopee 307; 14. White Bear Lake 309; 15. St. Michael-Albertville 310; 16, tie, Wayzata 312 and Champlin Park 312; 18, tie, Hastings 317 and Centennial 317; 20. Robbinsdale Armstrong 318; 21, tie, Mankato East 319 and Andover 319; 23, tie, Stillwater 320 and Roseville 320; 25. Coon Rapids 324; 26. Forest Lake 326; 27. Osseo 328; 28. Irondale 338; 29. Princeton 343; 30. Eastview 356.

Stillwater results (par 72)

West-North-East—Low 18

John Lillie 47-38-41—79, Axel Diehl 43-39-40—79, Brendon Rickheim 39-41-43—80, Jeremiah Giacomini 42-47-40—82, David Calderone 42-44-40—82 and Gavin Salazar 43-44-42—85. Top 3 — 1. Tyler Gandrud (Anoka) 33-34-40—67; 2, tie, Ryan Stendahl (Maple Grove) 34-34-35—68 and Lucas Arntsen (Chanhassen) 36-37-32—68.