Competing against a field of elite Class AA competition, Aberdeen Roncalli turned in a record-setting performance Tuesday at Lee Park Golf Course.
Led by medalist Harper Schnabel, the Cavaliers – the only Class A team in the field – set a school record with a team total of 295 on the way to finishing third as a team, just one stroke out of first place.
“It’s exciting to see that they can do this us,” said Roncalli coach Chazz Vigil. “I had a feeling that they could, but it’s good to see it in action.”
Schnabel was a model of consistency on his way to a round of 68, winning the individual title by two strokes.
“I hit the ball really, really well today. I was hitting at pins all day,” Schnabel said. “I didn’t necessarily make as many putts as I’d like to, but can’t really complain.”
Heading into the final hole, Schnabel was a bit long off the tee, but overcame it with no issues with a solid chip onto the green and then calmly knocked in a putt for par.
“I had a little bit of adrenaline going into that last one,” Schnabel said, “probably should have clubbed down.”
The junior has two main goals when he takes to the course, and accomplished both of those.
“My goal when I go out there is to, well obviously, no doubles, and no three-putts,” Schnabel said, “and we accomplished both of those today.”
Schnabel was not intimidated going up against some of the best Class AA golfers in the state.
“It’s a good measuring stick, but you can’t really control what they do,” he said, “so you just kind of go out and play your own game, and see what happens.”
Vigil said that Schnabel didn’t even rely on his putter on the way to winning the title.
“He put it together today. The putter wasn’t even the hottest part of his game, either,” Vigil said. “He left a few out there, but hard to complain when you shoot a 68.”
Roncalli’s Lucas Daggett was fifth with an even-par 71. The senior said he enjoys playing at Lee Park.
“I love playing here,” Daggett said. “It’s probably one of my favorite courses we play, and it was really scoreable today, and obviously had a lot of fun.”
Last week, Daggett edged Schnabel in a playoff to win the Northeast Conference Tournament. This time Schnabel got the tourney win.
“Obviously, we’re teammates so you can’t really get too excited if you lose to him,” Daggett said, “but it’s really fun just to be competitive and push each other.”
As a result, the two helped to propel the Cavaliers to a big team finish as well.
“Being the only A school in the field and getting third place, and me getting fifth place and Harper getting first,” Daggett said, “that’s pretty impressive I’d say.”
Despite facing many AA teams who came to get a look at the course where next month’s state tournament will be played, the Cavaliers go into any event expecting to win.
“We don’t care who we’re going to come and play against, the goal is always to win,” Vigil said, “whether that’s against Jon Rahm or against any single A school.”
Still, Roncalli gained a little boost heading into the back half of the season.
“It was a good day. It was a good win and the team played well today,” Schnabel said. “We can definitely use it as some momentum rolling into the last few weeks of the season here.”
Aberdeen Central received the rare opportunity to host a meet instead of having to travel clear across the state.
“It’s always good to play and not have to get up at 6 and get on the bus at 6:15, and get down to wherever you’re going,” said Central coach Matt Brust. “We’re kind of a long ways from anywhere. It’s always good to play at home, and something you’re familiar with.”
The Golden Eagles were led by senior Cole Brust, who shot a 75.
“It’s not my home course, but I definitely know my whole way around it,” Brust said. “It is really nice to just get in your car and drive five minutes, and you’re there for a school tournament.”
Brust called his round “very interesting” on a day that featured a bit of everything.
“I had five birdies, but a few doubles and a decent amount of bogies,” he said. “I shot 4-over on the front with two birdies, so that wasn’t great, but then I got to the back, and after a birdie on nine, I had a little bit of confidence. But then I hit my tee shot in the hazard, made double, then made bogie on 11, and wasn’t there mentally, great.”
Teammate Maddox Dinger was just two strokes back with a 77. The junior had one bad hole that cost him an even better score.
“I hit it honestly very well. I had one blowup hole, but other than that very consistent,” Dinger said. “Two bogies, three birdies, just kept it in the ballpark. Hit a lot of fairways, hit a few greens, and when I didn’t hit the green, managed to get up and down, which is nice. You have one hole there, it just sucks, but other than that, great.”
Even with an 8 on hole 10, Dinger was able to regroup and finish the round on a positive note.
“Doing that in the very middle of your round and then being able to battle back, and not blow up,” Dinger said, “honestly, I’m very impressed with myself.”
Coach Brust said that a key to playing Lee Park starts with tee shots.
“Let’s hit some accurate tee-shots,” Brust said. “There’s always a premium on driving out here, and you have to hit it in the fairway, and if you’re not, there’s a penalty to it.”
The Golden Eagles will now try to finish off the regular season strong before hosting the state tournament at Lee Park in early October.
“It’s really fun, especially senior year, having state at your home course,” Cole Brust said. “It will be fun. It definitely feels like an advantage, but at the same time it definitely feels like you have a really high standard.”
Dinger is looking forward for another chance to play the course at state.
“If I can just hit it like this and just scratch out the 8 on the scorecard and make it a 4,” Dinger said, “it will be a good two days.”
Coach Brust said the Golden Eagles need to work on a things between now and then.
“Certainly a couple of things to improve on,” he said, “and hopefully get that team score down a few and see where we end up. “
To see complete results, click on the following link:
