The Minnewaska Area boys golf team opened up the new season last week with a pair of away meets.  The Lakers, coached by Dave Drexler, golfed at the Riverside Golf Club in Blue Earth, Friday, and also competed against a strong field at the Hayfield Invitational, Saturday.

Coming up next for the team is a pair of WCC meets at BOLD and Montevideo, Friday, April 21.

Minnewaska Area is set to host two meets later this spring during a WCC meet Wednesday, May 10 at the Minnewaska Golf Club and the Minnewaska Area Boys Invitational Saturday, May 20.  The Lakers have won the last two WCC titles.

Taking over for Trevor Solem as the new head boys golf coach at Minnewaska Area this spring is Dave Drexler, a social studies teacher at MAHS.  He is assisted by Dion Harste and Brett Thorfinnson.

A little about the team

Other WCC double-headers this spring are set for Tuesday, April 25 (at WCA and Morris), Tuesday, May 2 (at Melrose and Sauk Centre) and Wednesday, May 10 (at Benson and Minnewaska GC).

Last year, the boys golf team sent Riley Larson to the state tournament after Larson earned a state berth by placing fourth at the Section 3AA Boys Golf Tourney.

At state, Larson shot an 88 on the first day and an 81 on the second for a 169 total to finish in a three-way tie for 65th place. 

Last week’s action

The Lakers placed second of three teams at the opening triangular meet at Blue Earth, Friday.  Blue Earth won with a 178 total, while Minnewaska Area shot a 187 total and Maple River was third with a 228.

Zach Gugisberg opened up the season in style, finishing as the meet medalist with a 9-hole round of 39, while Riley Larson was tied for second with a 43 and Blake Nelson was tied for 10th with a 48.

•  One day later, the Lakers played in wind, rain and cold weather at the 13-team Hayfield Invitational, which included several strong AAA and AA schools.  Shakopee won the team title with a 313 total, while the Lakers were sixth with a 344 total.

Leading the way for Minnewaska Area was Zach Gugisberg, who shot rounds of 36 and 38 for a 74 to place second overall, one shot off the medalist score.

Riley Larson was tied for 10th (43-37–80), while also golfing for the Lakers were Blake Nelson (42-51–93), Garrett Jungclaus (52-45–97), Chase Walker (49-53–102) and Ethan Peterson (57-59–116).

at Hayfield Invitational

Boys team scoring:  

(1) Shakopee 313  (2) Rochester Lourdes 329  (3) Fillmore Central 340  (4) Austin 341  (5) Cannon Falls 343  (6) Minnewaska Area 344, Triton 363, Blooming Prairie 380, Glenville-Emmons 385, GMLO 407, Caledonia 419, Rush-Peter 422, Hayfield INC

Minnewaska results:  (2) Zach Gugisberg 36-38–74  (10) Riley Larson 43-37–80 . . . Blake Nelson 42-51–93, Garrett Jungclaus 52-45–97, Chase Walker 49-53–102, Ethan Peterson 57-59–116