YANKTON – Aberdeen Central had a solid start to the Class AA State Golf Tournament on Monday.

Olivia Braun owns a three-stroke lead individually, and the Golden Eagles are in second in team points, just one stroke behind Mitchell, and one stroke ahead of Watertown.

The three teams have battled throughout the course of the regular season and it’s somehow only fitting that they are now duking it out for the state championship.

“It doesn’t surprise I don’t think anybody whose followed AA golf that today’s outcome was pretty much what it’s been all year,” said Central coach Kim Zimmerman.

What could make things even more interesting when play resumes today is a weather forecast that is not conducive to golf.

“Just to think that two strokes seperates three teams is amazing,” Zimmerman said. “(Tuesday), based on the weather forecast, there could be a lot of movement at the top going both ways. That’s something I kind of have my eye on right now, is how that is going to play out based on the weather forecast, whether that comes to fruition or not.”

Braun fired an even-par 72 during the opening round, good for a three-stroke lead over Allison Meyerink of Mitchell. Zimmerman was impressed with the Central sophomore’s round.

“The place she’s in doesn’t surprise me, but the score does, because that’s a very difficult golf course. It’s a great score considering the course that she played and the difficulty of the course,” Zimmerman said. “You can see the scores individually and team-wise today, they’re up, they’re elevated. We knew that. That was on a perfect day. This is the one day there was no wind. … It was phenomenal round by Olivia today. Can’t say enough about how she battled and kind of just played solid golf.”

Emma Dohrer is in eighth place after shooting an 82. Teammates Kyley Wirebaugh and Chloe Vikander are tied for 20th after rounds of 89.

“They’re within that top 25 of all-state right now. After day one you just kind of assess things. I told the girls you can’t win it on day one, but you can shoot yourself out of it. We did just that. We’re in contention,” Zimmerman said. “We have some individuals that are competing for some awards and we’re right there team-wise. You really couldn’t ask anymore than the position we’re in right now, based on the teams we’re competing with and the stroke differential. I’m happy we have something to play for (Tuesday).”

Last year Central played a phenomenal second round, but had too much ground to make up following a rough opening day.

This year, the Golden Eagles are in a prime position heading into today’s final round.

“I like where we’re at right now, and I’m sure Watertown and Mitchell feel the same way,” Zimmerman said. “I don’t foresee things changing. It’s unfortunately probably going to come down to a few strokes either way, both team and individual. It’s just the way it is.”

In a tournament that feature three very even teams, every stroke is magnified, according to Zimmerman.

“Every one of those four girls that scored today for those three teams are going to look back on today and see where they kind of lost some strokes,” Zimmerman said. “Every one, I guarantee it.”

The Golden Eagles will now try to finish what they started when action resumes today.

“We just need to have five scores that we can use (Tuesday) to put towards that team score. We have to keep battling,” Zimmerman said. “That’s what we said today. It’s only half done. There’s a lot of golf to be played (Tuesday) yet, and they just have to try to understand that and try to get better.”

To see complete first round results, click on the following link:

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/10492092292112864864