Becker’s Pebble Creek Golf Course again hosted the Class A high school boys’ and girls’ golf tournament this week.

 

One hundred and seventy two boys and girls golfers teed off between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday on the white and red courses.

 

Kiera Smith of Heritage Christian Academy — the defending Class A champion — rallied from being behind the first day and came away with the top girls score. The junior shot an indifferent 80 the first day (44-36), then a spectacular 35-41-76 to capture the state title with a 156.

 

Sophie Gray of Legacy Christian Academy finished second with a 157.

 

Fillmore Central took home the championship trophy for the ladies with a combined score of 692 —easily beating the second place team of Windom Area by 32 points.

 

On the boys side, Blake Kahlbaugh of Mahnomen/ Waubun shot a 68 Tuesday and followed that up with a 70 Wednesday to win the state title. 

 

Dylan Merchant of Mounds Park Academy and Brady Madsen of MacCray tied for second with 149’s.

 

Mounds Park Academy won the team title with a two-day total of 623.

 

Last year’s champions (shared) were Brock Bliese of Mounds Park Academy and Ryan Pederson of United South Central (Wells) and both were expected to be in the running this year, but Pederson finished tied for eighth (155) while Bliese finished tied for 13th at 158. 

 

Pebble Creek General Manager and Head Golf Professional Troy Malo and Pro Shop Coordinator Ian Holmes ran the sign-up area and scoreboard while a crew of cart girls raced around the course taking care of team’s needs. Dwight Lundeen again chaired the event and he had several “helpers” as well as the tournament went off without a hitch. Lundeen’s job is to  administer the play, control the play and meet and greet the teams, players and coaches. His “helpers” — six  MGA officials — are placed throughout the golf course to assist with speeding up play, answering questions about play and helping with ruling of ball placement, stance, shots and general golf rules.

 

Becker police reserve officers managed the parking lot and helped shuttle visitors to and from the golf course to the overflow parking at the Becker Community Center and high school.

 

Becker’s Pebble Creek has hosted the state Class A tournament the last nine years and the success and visibility of the tournament helps drive the local economy each and every summer. Pebble Creek was able to secure a contract with the MSHSL in 2013 to run the tournament through 2018.