Rugby, Leeds struggle at Class B golf meet
Rugby was coming into the two-day Class B boys state golf tournament fresh of a region title and playing its best golf of the spring. However, the squad couldn’t match that play at Jamestown’s Hillcrest Golf Course, May 27-28.
The Panthers struggled, especially on day one, and couldn’t make up enough strokes on day two to reach their goal of a top 10 finish.
“We shot ourselves in the foot on that first day and dug ourselves too big a hole to get out of,’ said Gary Myhre, Rugby coach. “I was pleased with how we did improve on the second day, dropping 12 strokes.”
Perhaps the frustration on day one could be best illustrated by senior Daniel Gannarelli’s performance. The Panthers’ top golfer had the low front nine score for Rugby at 41, but then also had the high back-nine score of 51. “I felt for Daniel,’ Myhre said. “He’s worked hard and put in time, and I know he set his sights for a good meet, but it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Gannarelli did turn things around on day two, scoring a 85 – the low total for the team.
Seventh grader Jack McClintock had a solid meet, finishing with a score of 183. Four other Panthers had scores clustered together. Senior Jacob Stadum had a 184; freshman Zach Leer, 186; and senior Leif Selland, 187; and senior Josh Dockter, 190.
Myhre said McClintock, Leer and Dockter all scored right around their average for the years.
Leeds, which was playing in its first-ever Class B grass greens state tournament, finished 14th with a score of 703.
Freshman Darren Young had a strong meet, carding a score of 166, good for 31st overall. Senior Dustin Paulson finished with a 172, and turned in a 79 on day two. Steve Hausmann, senior, had a 182; senior Brad Nelsen, 183; senior Trevor Torgerson, 196; and freshman Brady Stoll, 218.
Hazen won the meet – 13 strokes ahead of runner-up Fargo Oak Grove. Kindred was third.
Black has good meet
Rugby senior Kristi Black turned in a personal best, 90, on day one of the Class B girls state tournament in Carrington, en route to a 36-hole score of (90-94 -184) and tied for 32nd overall.
Toni Stevenson, Rugby coacy, said Black played well in her final high school meet. This was Black’s third appearance at the state tournament. Hazen won the girls title, despite not having one golfer in the top 10. Kindred was second and Kenmare third