COON RAPIDS — Seniors Dane Berggren and Parker Trobec finished off their prep careers while representing the Stillwater boys golf team in the Class AAA state meet on Wednesday, June 12 at Bunker Hills Golf Course.
Berggren carded a two-round total of 161 (81-80) to finish in a tie for 63rd place. Trobec opened with an 80 in Tuesday’s first round and followed with a 90 to tie for 81st place at 171.
It was the first state appearance for each player.
“They played well to get there,” Ponies coach John Scanlon said. “I think they were a little nervous and didn’t play confident, but I’m proud of them. They’re good guys and it was a pretty good accomplishment to get to state.”
Edina’s Torger Ohe shot 67 and 68 for a total of 135 to finish three shots ahead of runner-up Cooper Daikawa of Centennial, who shot consecutive 69s to finish at 138.
Stillwater’s section (4AAA) was well represented with Sam Udovich (68-72) of Cretin-Derham Hall and Jacob Wilson (70-70) of Mahtomedi tying for third place at 140.
The Raiders, who finished ahead of the runner-up Ponies in the Section 4AAA Tournament, placed sixth in the standings with a score of 609 (307-302) after failing to join a tight battle for the team title.
Maple Grove was the Round 1 leader after posting a 294, but slipped back with a 305 to finish at 599 to place third behind Benilde-St. Margaret’s (300-296—596) and runner-up Waconia (298-299—597).
Just four shots separated the top four teams, which included Rosemount (297-303—600) in fourth place.
“The team competition was pretty exciting,” Scanlon said. “In team golf, that’s one hole.”
Berggren and Trobec played through rain for much of their opening nine holes on Day 1 and there was a lightning delay that halted play for about 30 minutes midway through their rounds on Day 2.
A few wayward shots hampered Berggren and his putter was inconsistent as well, Scanlon suggested.
“He hit it good, but had some bad drives and didn’t get some putts to drop,” Scanlon said. “He wasn’t that happy with it, but he also hit some shots that were just incredible.”
The coach said Berggren’s first hole after play was suspended summed up the round. Berggren hit an 8-iron to five feet on No. 1 on the West Nine.
“But he missed the putt,” Scanlon said.
Trobec was also unable to solve the greens.
“The first day he had five three-putts,” Scanlon said. “He didn’t have good control on the speed, but also had the course set up pretty hard at 7,000 yards.”
Berggren plans to continue his golf career at Concordia-St. Paul while Trobec intends to play at Bethel University.
The top finishers trended younger as just six of the top 20 finishers in the individual standings are seniors.
“The quality of the golf is just incredible,” Scanlon said.
• Maple Grove cruised to the state title in the Class AAA girls golf tournament with a two-day total of 611 (305-306), finishing 15 shots ahead of runner-up Wayzata (306-320—626) and comfortably ahead of third-place Minnetonka (326-324—650). Section 4AAA champion Mahtomedi placed eighth with a total of 705 (355-350).
Owatonna sophomore Carmen Jirele (69-73—142) held on for a one-shot victory over Maple Grove’s Amelia Morton (71-72—143) for the individual state title.
Team standings
1. Benilde-St. Margaret’s 300-296—596; 2. Waconia 298-299—597; 3. Maple Grove 294-305—599; 4. Rosemount 297-303—600; 5. Alexandria 299-305—604; 6. Cretin-Derham Hall 307-302—609; 7. Rochester Mayo 314-326—640; 8. Elk River 320-325—645.
Individual standings
Top 5, Stillwater results
1. Torger Ohe (Edina) 67-68—135; 2. Cooper Daikawa (Centennial) 69-69—138; 3, tie, Sam Udovich (Cretin-Derham Hall) 68-72—140 and Jacob Wilson (Mahtomedi) 70-70—140; 5, tie, Jake Birdwell (Spring Lake Park) 74-69—143 and Chase Birdwell (Spring Lake Park) 75-68—143; T63. Dane Berggren (St) 81-80—161; T81. Parker Trobec 80-90—170.
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