PINEHURST, N.C. – South Dakota golfers finished up strong during the final day of the National High School Golf Association National Invitation Tournament at Pinehurst Resort on Wednesday.
Aberdeen’s Micah Dohrer had his best round in the three-day event, shooting a 78 after back-to-back rounds of 85s.
“The last day obviously was the best day. I got a little more confidence in my swing, being more comfortable with the course and my surroundings,” Dohrer said. “I would have liked a better score, but you can’t really start a round with a score that you want to shoot in mind, you just kind of have to take what the course gives you.”
Dohrer finished tied for 178th with a three-day total of 248. He said the was experience was everything he expected and more.
“The best golf course in the country with the best competition,” Dohrer said. “I couldn’t really ask for ask for much more than that.”
South Dakota was led by Lance Christensen who finished tied for 45th with a total of 231. Christensen who was 133rd at last year’s event, was an example of consistency during the tourney shooting rounds of 77, 76 and 78.
Christensen, who golfed for Little Wound, won the Class A individual state championship two years ago. Dohrer, who competed for Aberdeen Roncalli, won the State A individual title last fall.
Dohrer recalled his only previous experience with Christensen.
“Last year after I won state, I didn’t even know who he was, he had a mask on, and he walked up to me and congratulated me and gave me a big hug,” Dohrer said. “I’m very happy for him to represent our state and be able to perform well.”
Watertown’s Kaden Rylance finished tied for 149th. The South Dakota team was 45th.
Simon Kwan of Utah won the individual portion of the tournament with a 4-under 212. Utah won the team title.
The tourney featured more than 300 of the top golfers from across the country. When asked if he thought any of them may someday be on the Professional Golf Association Tour, Dohrer responded, “I would certainly hope so. Some of these kids have a very good swings. They’re very smart. They love the game of golf. Anything can happen, especially when you have the passion that a lot of these kids have.”
Dohrer will now work to further develop his game for the rest of the summer before leaving Aug. 9 to go play collegiately at Dakota Wesleyan University. He will take along some fond memories of three magical days at Pinehurst when he goes.
“Playing the best courses in the country. I have no words as far as the conditions of the courses,” Dohrer said. “It’s the best I’ve ever seen, it’s the best I’ll ever see. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The people were even better.”
