The Minnewaska boys golf team is in third place after the first day of the Section 3AA Boys Golf Tournament.  The Lakers shot a 318 score, Thursday at Oakdale Golf Club in Buffalo Lake to place third behind Marshall (296) and NLS (311).

The top five teams and top other golfers advance to the Section 3AA Finals, set for Wednesday, May 29 at the same course.  Also golfing in that event will be Luverne (319) and Morris Area-CA (319).

The Lakers, who placed third in the WCC boys golf standings this year, were led by Zach Gugisberg with a 76 and Thatcher Sherlin with a 79.  The 318 score is the low score for the Lakers this season in 18-hole competitions.

During the Section 3AA Finals, the top team and top five other golfers from the other teams earn state berths.  The State Boys Golf Tournament is set for June 11-12.

Section 3AA Prelims

As they have done all season, Zach Gugisberg and Thatcher Sherlin led the Lakers at the Section 3AA Golf Prelims last week.

Gugisberg had a four-over 76 and Sherlin added a 79 as those two golfers will most likely have to battle with others for an individual berth if the Lakers can’t overcome the 22-stroke deficit.

Marshall had a 296 total for an average of 74 strokes per golfer while NLS was second with a 311 total or an average of just over 77.5 per athlete.

Last year, Riley Larson golfed at state for the second-straight year, while Thatcher Sherlin missed a state berth by seven strokes and Zach Gugisberg missed out on a trip to state by 13 strokes.

If Marshall wins the Section 3AA title then only the top five golfers from all the other teams earn state berths.  Yes, making it to state in golf is tough.

Last year, a 152 total over the two 18-hole rounds earned a golfer a trip to state and that’s exactly what Larson shot at the section tourney.  That might not be enough this season with a field of very strong teams.

NLS won last year’s section title with a 623 total with Luverne in second five strokes back.

Tyler Moscho added an 82 for the Lakers during the Section 3AA Prelims, while Kash Christman carded an 85, Blake Nelson came home with a 91 and Chase Wacker added a 97.

Section 3AA Prelims

Boys team scoring:  

(1) Marshall 296  (2) NLS 311  (3) Minnewaska 318  (4) Luverne 319  (5) Morris Area-CA 319

Minnewaska results:  Zach Gugisberg 76, Thatcher Sherlin 79, Tyler Moscho 82, Kash Christman 85, Blake Nelson 91, Chase Wacker 97

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