Orono boys golfers have battled wind, rain, sleet, and snow as well as opponents during the first few weeks of the 2014 season, and so far at least, they have not been defeated. In their first competition of the year on April 16, the Spartans were leading the Prior Lake Invitational at the Wilds Golf Club when snow accumulation halted play after 14 holes. But the following week, the Spartans began Eastern Wright County Conference (Holy Family, Waconia, Mound-Westonka, Delano and Hutchinson) play with a pair of narrow victories.
At Deer Run on April 21, the Spartans were led by the “D1 duo” of Dan Lensing and Alex Greenagel (74 and 80, respectively), eking out a two shot win over howling winds and host Holy Family, 323 to 325. Two days later at a blustery Crow River Country Club in Hutchinson, the Spartans improved by a shot to 322, this time extinguishing the Fire (Holy Family) by three shots. Lensing again led the way with a 77 (medalist), followed by Greenagel (79), Cam Knutsen (81) and Kalvin Danielson (85).
With heavy rains placing much of Burl Oaks and Pioneer Creek under water, the Spartans lost the chance to play against some of the very best in Minnesota at the Mound Invite on April 28 (cancelled), but the EWCC match at Delano was rescheduled to May 14. Undaunted, and with tremendous support from parent volunteers Julie Lensing, John and Jeny Greenagel, Paige Renard, Tom Schulenberg and Teri Knutsen, the Spartans took to the road with a 13 player contingent to compete in the 16 team, 36 hole Otter Open at Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls. Head coach Dave Herring felt before the season started this would be the making moment of the season. “Fergus Falls is Greenagel country, and that section of Minnesota is my old neighborhood too. Lots of déjà vu going on for this old Spud from Moorhead.”
On Friday, May 2nd, the Spartan Red team shot 316 in heavy winds to take a 10 shot lead over Moorhead and Hawley, with the host Otters close behind. Cam Knutsen paced the scoring with a 78, while Lensing and Clay Knutsen shot 79 and Greenagel 80. Meanwhile, the Red team shot 348, led by lanky newcomer Neel Sodhi’s 82. Sodhi’s impressive deuce on the 8th hole earned him one of only two skins claimed the entire day.
Saturday morning brought 39 degree weather and, again, high winds. This time Lensing went low for the Red team with a 75, followed by Cam Knutsen’s 78. Greenagel and Clay Knutsen shot 82 to give the Spartans a 317 for a two day total of 633, good for a seven shot victory over the hard charging Otters. The Blue team also shot well, led by junior Thor Parrish, who chipped in for birdie on his last hole to card an impressive 78. Cody Limesand, Henry Schulenberg and Luke Palm also contributed to a 342 day and a 690 total, good for a 10th place finish.
The following Monday, May 5th, the Spartans finally got to play in good conditions, shooting a season best 310 at the EWCC match hosted by Waconia at Island View Country Club, winning by four shots over Delano, and six shots over Holy Family. Cam Knutsen crushed a 75, Greenagel smashed a 76, Lensing smoothed a 78, and Parrish added an 81. With three conference tournaments down and three to go, the Spartans have opened up a slim 11 shot lead. Next week is make or break, as Orono hosts the conference at Baker on Monday, travels to Delano (Pioneer Creek) on Wednesday, and Mound (Burl Oaks) on Thursday. Several fun tournaments follow prior to section qualifying at The Ridges of Sand Creek May 28-9.
It will take an exceptional finish to earn a trip to the Class AAA State Tournament, but the boys definitely now believe it will happen. The players hope you will follow them live, or through the Orono Boys Golf website. At this point, they just keep rolling along, gaining momentum and lowering their scores. The snowmen are gone; from now on this team plans to soar with eagles.
