Aberdeen Roncalli’s Finn Anderson watches his putt on the seventh hole at Lee Park Golf Course during the Hub City Invitational Golf Tournament earlier this season. Anderson shot a 77 on the opening day of the State A tourney in Rapid City on Monday. Photo by John Davis taken 8/29/2023
RAPID CITY – Aberdeen Roncalli holds a top five spot in the team standings behind a solid round from freshman Finn Anderson on the opening day of the Class A State Boys’ Golf Tournament at Hart Ranch Golf Course Monday.
Anderson’s day didn’t necessarily start off on the best of circumstances, as he was three-over after the first two holes.
Cavalier head coach Jon Murdy said he walked those first three holes with Anderson before catching up with another of his players. By the time Murdy rejoined Anderson three holes later, Anderson had notched two birdies and a par.
“I told him I wouldn’t see him again until his round was over,” Murdy quipped.
Anderson finished with a 5-over round of 77, with a stretch of six straight holes of even-par golf on the back half of the course.
That effort, along with Andrew Gerlach’s round of 82, helped spur the Cavaliers to a team score of 340, good for fifth amongst the 14-team field. Gerlach’s round put him in a tie for 19th heading into today’s final round.
“The kids played well off and on,” Murdy said of his squad’s overall performance. “Just had some big holes that we lost focus for a shot or two. Other than that, we hit the ball well.”
Murdy said his team is in a decent spot after Monday’s round.
“We’re in a position where we could make a run at the top three,” he said.
Gannon May finished Monday with an 89 to round out Roncalli’s scoring contingent.
Groton is in ninth place in the team standings. Brevin Fliehs carded an 83 to lead the way for the Tigers. Fliehs sits just outside the top 20 with that round.
Milbank’s Jonathon DeBoer watches his putt on the eighth hole at Lee Park Golf Course during the Hub City Invitational Golf Tournament. DeBoer is tied for fourth following the opening day of the State A tourney in Rapid City. Photo by John Davis taken 8/29/2023
Jonathan Deboer of Milbank is tied for fourth in the individual standings with his round of 75 while teammate Owen Fisher is tied for 31st with an 85.
Murdy said the key to his team’s performance in today’s final round comes down to one thing: confidence.
“Just (have to) clean things up and realize that they are really that good of players and can compete day in and day out,” he said.