Patriots have experienced boys golf team

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal PEQUOT LAKES —

The Pequot Lakes Patriots boys golf team is optimistic with seven letterwinners competing this spring from a squad that finished second at the Section 6-2A meet.

Those returning players include: Ethan Thomas, Logan Fogarty, Jerome Martin, Hunter Oelschlager, Michael Oseland, Tollef Birkeland and Finn Fogarty.

Last spring, Birkeland qualified for state after finishing sixth in section play while Thomas tied for seventh and missed advancing to state in a playoff.

“Those players have valuable varsity golf experience, and definitely have the ability to put up quality, competitive scores,” said Steve Stoxen, who is starting his 38th season as golf coach. “Depth should be a strength of this team, and hopefully we maintain that throughout the season,” he said. “Our mental approach, and how we handle diversity on the course, will be key components regarding our team success.”

Last season, the Patriots finished just four strokes behind champion Albany for the section title and a trip to state. Stoxen feels that his veteran squad can be favorites in both section competition, and as newcomers to the Granite Ridge Conference. “Things will be a touch different this year with us joining the Granite

Ridge,” Stoxen said. “We will be playing courses that our players are not familiar with, but I’m sure they will adjust quickly. This team continues to grow mentally with their decision-making on the course, and understand what it takes to put up a good score and play competitive golf.”

Stoxen said his golfers can find inspiration in the success of recent graduates like Tyler Seeling (playing at Division I South Dakota State University) and Anthony Armstrong (who finished 27th at the Class 2A state meet last season).

“Our current players are fortunate to have alumni golfers like Tyler and Anthony to watch and learn from the past two seasons,” Stoxen said. “If we are able to trust in our abilities and continually practice our weaknesses, we will have an excellent opportunity for success this season.”

The Patriots, who are scheduled to open Wednesday, April 10, at Mora, will compete in the section meet Wednesday, May 29, at the Cragun’s Resort Legacy course.

BY

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — The Pine River-Backus girls golf team “should be in the mix” to defend its Section 7A title with six returning players with varsity experience.

Those veteran players include: Kassidy Bristow, Ava Hansen, Ayla Richards, Molly Lupella, Lyric Aulie and Jovi Borland. “We graduated two seniors from last year’s state team, but we have a strong core of junior players and promising underclassmen,” said coach Mark Gonnion, who is starting his 31st season as coach. Some of those underclass players include Aulie, an eighth grader who placed fourth in last year’s section tournament, and Lily Barchus.

Last season, the Tigers finished fifth in their first appearance in the Class A state meet. PR-B qualified for state after winning the Section 7A title.

This spring, Gonnion said Park Rapids is one of the favorites in the Northern Pines Conference while the Tigers should be one of the teams competing for the section title. PR-B, which was scheduled to open the season Tuesday, April 16, at Blueberry Pines in Menahga, will play in the section meet Tuesday, May 28, at the Minnesota National course in McGregor.