Webster’s Seth Lesnar and Clark-Willow Lake’s Brynn Roehrich continued their strong seasons by shooting the lowest rounds in their respective divisions at the Pre Region 1B Golf Tournament on Monday at Lee Park Golf Course.
Lesnar finished with a 74 to edge the field by three strokes. Trent Beyers of Edmunds Central was second and Clark Willow-Lake’s Cade Gaikowski was third, both with rounds of 77. Roerhich finished with a 77, two strokes better than Doland’s Olivia Knox.
The event served as a trial run for next week Monday’s region on the same course, but still proved to have real value.
“It’s big for momentum, especially for the team, too,” Lesnar said. “Everyone else played good, so hopefully it can boost everybody else to go to regions.”
The sophomore has won multiple tournaments so far this season and has a goal of a top 10 finish at the state tournament after tying for 20th last year. He pointed to a particular key to his success so far this season.
“Honestly, it’s been my short game,” Lesnar said. “That’s where I feel like I’ve practiced the most and that’s where you make up most of your strokes. I feel like chipping’s been big and putter every once in a while has been alright.”
Golfers had to contend with a strong wind, which played a role, according to Lesnar.
“Epsecially on the approach shots,” Lesnar said. “You might have to club up or sometimes you’re shorthanded there and it doesn’t work out all the time, but yeah, the wind definitely plays a big part.”
Roehrich, who fired a 69 at a tourney last week, was satisfied with her score, considering she was nursing a sore foot.
“It was OK. I made a few mistakes, but I’m looking forward to state,” Roehrich said. “Hopefully it’s going to be a good year. Lots of competition.”
The junior is already a two-time defending State B champion. She knows she has a target on her back, but has dealt with that pressure before.
“I know that everybody wants to win. We play the game because we want to win. … I can only take it one shot at a time,” Roehrich said. “I don’t keep track of what the strokes are in my head. I add them at the end, and whatever I shoot, I shoot, and those girls are going to want to win just as much as I want to win and it’s going to be what it’s going to be.”
Roehrich has grown accustomed to playing in the windy conditions that so often accompanies golf tourneys.
“I definitely throw the ball quite high, so the wind effects my ball a lot.” Roehrich said. “But I’ve learned how to hit a lower shot. I grew up playing in it my whole life, so I’ve kind of gotten used to it.”
Roehrich plans on lowering her score when she returns to Aberdeen next week.
“I’m hoping to shoot even better next week. Today I did a few not so smart things,” Roehrich said. “Starting on the first hole I took a double because I yanked it out of bounds, but I’m coming back next week to hopefully get another win.”
The event also served as the Eastern Coteau Conference Tournament.
Britton-Hecla won the boys’ ECC title by one stroke over Webster, while Webster captured the girls’ ECC crown by 22 strokes over Waverly-South Shore.
Lofton Heer shot a 78 to finish second behind Lesnar in the ECC portion. The sophomore was just trying to get acclimated to the course for next week.
“Just try to get around, have some fun, get to know the course before regions,” Heer said.
Heer also plays football, basketball, and baseball. He said his four sports share something in common, a big mental component.
“It’s all in your head,” Heer said. “Like in basketball you can go 0-for-6 and next game you can go 5-for-5. In golf, you can shoot a 78 to 101. It can be a big difference.”
Of course there is no physical contact in golf like there is in football. When asked what it would be like trying to sink a putt while being tackled, Heer responded, “That would be tough. That’s what it felt like with the wind today.”
Webster’s Bailee Ninke won the girls’ ECC medalist honors with an 84.
Sage Gaikowski of Waubay-Summit shot an 88 and was second in the ECC standings.
The sophmore also talked about the mental element in the sport of golf.
“You just got to move on after a bad shot, a bad hole,” Gaikowski said. “Last year at state I had a bad day, and I think that helped me being able to just move past it, and knowing it’s just one hole. It is what it is.”
Gaikowski also competes in basketball, and breakaway in rodeo, so she understands she needs to take advantage of situations in the moment.
“Not being down on yourself and just moving on,” she said. “In breakaway you’ve got one opportunity. It is what it is.”
Gaikowski, who finished 30th at state last season, would like to move into the top 15 this season.
She knows that Region 1B has produced the state champion in Roehrich the past two seasons.
“She pushes me to do better,” Gaikowski said. “I definitely think it helps when I golf with her. I definitely think I golf better.”
Aberdeen Christian had three golfers compete in the boys’ division, led by Logan Rivett who was 42nd with a 98.
Knights coach Matt Rohrbach said the event served as preparation for next week.
“Pre regions is pre regions for a reason,” Rohrbach said. “You want to come out here and golf all the holes and just have a feel for how the course is going to play hopefully next Monday.”
Rohrbach said he encourages his golfers to just play each hole and not be focused on their total scores.
“It really shouldn’t be result-based in my mind. They need to try to take it one shot at a time. I remember when I played golf in high school. You have a couple bad shots and pretty soon you’re like well, what if I shoot this score, what if I shoot this score?” Rohrbach said. “And when your mindset is that, you’ve pretty much lost the day. Just trying to get the guys, remind them, it’s one shot at as time and if it happens, that’s great.”
To see complete tournament results, click on the following link:
