SECTION 3A GOLF
Alex and Taylor saved their best for Section 3A golf meet to both qualify for state
Move over Class A golfers, here come the Munsons.
Siblings Alex and Taylor last week took third and fifth place in the two-day Section 3A Golf Meet, respectively, to qualify for the 202425 State Golf Meet at Pebble Creek in Becker. This will be Alex’s second straight trip to state, while junior-tobe Taylor is making her state debut.
Alex shot a 41-40=81 on Day 1 of the tournament and 3441=75 on Friday; his 34 is a school record. Taylor had a 48-49=97 the first day and stormed back with a 43-44=87 Friday thanks, in part, to two birdies on the back 9.
“It was the best round of my life,” Alex said about his 34. “Throughout my entire high school career, that back 9 has always gotten me, so to go out there and shoot a 34 on the back 9. To go out there on the back 9 at Worthington, that was a big accomplishment. I really liked that that was my last round at Worthington and I shoot a round like that.”
Alex’s shining moment was an chip-in eagle on a par 5.
“I kind of knew it was my day before that,” he said. “I was even par through eight holes, so I was feeling good up until that point. I hit my 3-wood off the tee perfect, then really good shot after that that went just a couple yards off the green. I knew I had a good chance at birdie … once it went in, I was stoked about it.”
Alex said having been at state already last year, he has a better grasp on what to expect this time around.
“I know I’ve got to hit my driver a lot better this year than last year because they put bunker at 250 (yards) every single hole,” he said. “If I can carry my driver 250, that makes the course a lot easier. That’s something I’ll be focused on in practice. Just the experience will go a long way for me, but I have a goal in mind; I want to do something at state this year instead of just qualifying and just going.”
Alex said a Top 10, Top 20 finish is a reasonable goal for him at state.
“I’ve got a pretty good feel for the course, I know what the greens will be like, how long the holes are, he said. “I think I can still get a lot better.”
He said a year ago at this time, he felt he had hit his peak, but that peak is higher this year. Still, there are some aspects of his game he knows need to improve, specifically, his long game.
“I just need to sharpen up a couple things and be more consistent,” he said. “Compared to last year, I definitely feel better going into state than I did last year. Golf is always a mental game, but I know I’ve got to clean up my driver a little bit. My driver all year has been a day-by-day thing — hitting it really good one day, then hitting one or two fairways another day.”
As for Taylor, who last year missed going to state by two strokes, her 87 was highlighted by those two birdies on her first three holes. Ultimately, she cut 10 strokes off her score between rounds to make the cut by nine strokes.
“I was really happy because if I did shoot another 97 I wouldn’t have made it,” she said. “My brother really helped me with my driver, and my putting was on-point. I had a lot of long putts that barely missed the hole, or I made them.”
Taylor said qualifying after coming so close last year was very rewarding.
“It feels good,” she said. “I was really nervous going into sections, but I knew I could make it. It’s just sometimes I blow up on holes and I was really hoping not to do that. But since I made it, now I’m feeling really good and real excited for state. I’m just hoping to see the course, have fun and get to know what I need to know for hopefully future years at state.”
Taylor said she is ready mentally for state competition and knows she needs to maintain a positive attitude.
“Sometimes when I hit a bad shot I get down on myself,” she said. “Overall, I think I will be in a good mental state for state golf. I need to be.”
Chipping is one part of her game Taylor knowns she needs to zero in on during her practice rounds.
“Good thing my putting is good because my chipping isn’t going well,” she said. “My driver’s good, but I need to keep practicing to make sure it stays good.”
Sub-section results from other golfers:
• Gavin Fischer shot a 114. “Putting and chipping was good,” coach Michael Munson said. “Gavin is a hard worker and I know this year will encourage him to improve during the summer. He was out on the range the next day.”
• Trenton Johnson shot a 105. “Trenton has improved a lot throughout the year with chipping and putting,” said Munson. “He lowered his scores all year. Today was a tough one but he will be back next year.”
• Piper Schulte had a 118. “Piper got better each year; she really hit the ball well off the tees,” said Munson.. “Everyone enjoyed being around her positive attitude.”
