The Minnewaska Area boys golf team survived the first day of the Section 3AA Boys Golf Tournament after shooting a 330 total to tie for fourth at the Section 3AA Prelims, Thursday at the Oakdale Golf Course in Buffalo Lake.

NLS won the team title with a score of 315, but four teams are within 15 strokes going into the Section 3AA Finals, set for Wednesday, May 31 at the same course.

Riley Larson led the Lakers the first day with an 18-hole total of 76 to tie for fourth place overall.

The top team and top five golfers from the other schools earn state berths for the State Tourney, set for June 13-14.

In the results that follow is also information about the Lakeville South Invitational, which was played on the Minnewaska Area Golf Course last Saturday.

Lakeville S Invite

Lakeville South hosted an invitational at the Minnewaska Golf Course last Saturday with Edina winning the 9-team meet by 28 strokes over runner-up Minnetonka (600-628).

Minnetonka had the best score on the first day with a 301, but Edina shot a 295 the next day to earn the title.  The Lakers, who were ninth with a 689 total, were led by Riley Larson’s 154 on rounds of 78 and 76, which was good enough for seventh place overall.

Arthur Ylitalo, of Buffalo (71-73–144) and Jimmy Abdo, of Edina (72-72–144) shared medalist honors.  Also golfing for the Lakers were Zach Gugisberg in 37th place (87-86–173), Blake Nelson in 47th (91-88–179) and Thatcher Sherlin in 48th (98-85–183).

Section 3AA Prelims

The Lakers find themselves tied for fourth of 16 teams after the Section 3AA Prelims, Thursday.  NLS won the title with a score of 315, followed by Luverne (324), Marshall (324), Minnewaska Area (330) and Windom (330).

Those five schools will return to the Oakdale course and play another 18 holes to determine the ultimate Section 3AA team champion.

Morris Area’s Charlie Hanson, who was the top golfer in the WCC, earned medalist honors during the meet with a 70.  

Minnewaska’s Riley Larson shot a 76 to tie for fourth, while Zach Gugisberg had an 82 to tie for 15th, Thatcher Sherlin carded an 83 to tie for 18th and Blake Nelson shot an 89 to tie for 50th.

Lakeville S Invite

Boys team scoring:  

(1) Edina 305-295–600  (2) Minnetonka 301-327–628  (3) Sartell 317-319–636  (4) Elk River 309-329–638  (5) Buffalo 313-326–639  (6) Eagan 326-316–642  (7) Lakeville South 331-317–648  (8) Hopkins 337-324–661  (9) Minnewaska 354-335–689

Boys top five:  

(1) Jimmy Abdo, Edina 72-72–144 and Arthur Ylitalo, Buf 71-73–144  (3) Parker Hughes, Edina 75-72–147  (4) Harvey Ylitalo, Buf 76-76–151  (5) Nevin Switz, Minnetonka 81-71–152; and Max Wolf, Hop 76-76–152

Minnewaska results:  (7) Riley Larson 78-76–154  (37) Zach Gugisberg 87-86–173  (47) Blake Nelson 91-88-179  (48) Thatcher Sherlin 98-85–183

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Section 3AA Prelims

Boys team scoring:  

(1) NLS 315  (2) Luverne 324 and Marshall 324  (4) Minnewaska 330 and Windom 330  (6) Fairmont 332  (7) Morris Area 333  (8) West Central Area 334  (9) Pipestone 335  (10) Redwood 346  (11) Litchfield 355 and ACGC 355  (13) Worthington 356  (14) New Ulm 357 and Jackson County Central 357  (16) Montevideo 364

Boys top five:  

(1) Charlie Hanson, Mor 70  (2) Owen Sudenga, Litch 74  (3) Luke Ehlers, Mar 75  (4) tie, Riley Larson, Min and Harmon Schrunk, Fair, both 76  

Minnewaska results:  (4) Riley Larson 76  (15) Zach Gugisberg 82  (18) Thatcher Sherlin 83  (50) Blake Nelson 89