The Becker Bulldogs boys golf team competed in the Section 6AA tournament at Blackberry Ridge Monday and Tuesday and came away with the first place title — qualifying for state for the first time in nearly 20 years.
With the win, the team of Jackson Fluck, Michael Sogard, Alex Stanz, Caleb Foster, Brandon Abrahamson and Zach Stanz will be heading to the state golf tournament Tuesday and Wednesday in Jordan at the Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course.
“It looked like we were going to have a good-sized lead after the front nine on Monday,” said Head Coach Dan Olson. “But Cathedral played really well on the back nine and we ended the first day with a six stroke lead.”
That turned out to be all the lead they needed.
Fluck shot a 76 and was low man for the Bulldogs after day one. Foster and Alex Stanz shot 79’s and Sogard shot an 83 to get a team score of 317. Abrahamson finished with a solid 85 and Zach Stanz an 86 to round out the team’s score.
On day two, Cathedral came out firing and closed the six stroke deficit on the front nine. However, the Bulldogs turned it on for the final nine holes and they matched Cathedral hole-by-hole the rest of the way to finish at 314.
Once again, Fluck was the team’s low scorer with a 77. Alex Stanz had a 78, Foster a 79, Sogard an 80, Abrahamson an 87 and Zach Stanz an 89.
“It is always tough to sleep on a lead after the first day,” said Olson. “The guys played their own games and did not start pressing during the front nine while Cathedral was playing well.”
Olson’s boys’ solid frame of mind paid off and they eventually turned it up a notch on the final nine to cruise to victory.
“I am so proud of the way the team handled the pressure and they pulled it off,” Olson said.
Fluck’s two-day total of 153 earned him third place. Alex Stanz’ 157 earned him fifth place and Foster’s 158 earned him sixth place.
“Jackson (Fluck) and Caleb (Foster) played some of their best golf at sections,” said Olson. “Even though Alex (Stanz) struggled with his putting, he still finished in the top five. Michael (Sogard) was able to overcome a few mistakes to keep his round at or in the low 80's. It was a great day for the Bulldog nation.”
Top 4 Teams at Sections
1). Becker - 631; 2). St. Cloud Cathedral - 637; 3). Staples-Motley - 665; 4). Albany -- 669.
Individual Medalists
1). Andrew Israelson, Staples-Motley - 150; 2). David Schneider, Albany - 151; 3). Jackson Fluck, Becker - 153; 4). Max LaBine, St. Cloud Cathedral - 156; 5). Alex Stanz, Becker - 157.
Charlie Stuck of St. Cloud Cathedral (158) and Will Freeman of St. Cloud Cathedral (162) also qualified for state.
Huskies Invitational
In Becker’s final regular season meet of the season, the Bulldogs traveled to Blackberry Ridge Golf Course Saturday and came home with the invitational title.
Andrew Israelson of Staples/Motley shot an even par 72 to win the event. Becker won the team competition a 320.
Sogard was the low man for Becker with a 79. Alex Stanz and Fluck both shot 80’s, Foster had an 81, Abrahamson an 82 and Zach Stanz a 92.
Becker took five of the top nine individual spots.
“It was a good way to go into sections and help boost the team's confidence,” said Olson.
Teams competing were Becker, Staples/Motley, Albany, Foley, Pierz, Rocori, Sauk Centre and Zimmerman.
