International Falls sits in third after Day 1 with a 304 as Virginia’s 299 and Hermantown’s 302 set the stage for today’s Day 2
There is no such thing as a photo finish in golf, but there should be plenty of cameras and attention being paid to the 18th green today on Day 2 of the Section 7AA championships at The Quarry at Giants Ridge.
Virginia, Hermantown and International Falls opened the season as the favorites in the section, and the three sit just five shots apart with a state tournament spot on the line.
Virginia finished Thursday with a 299 on Day 1, followed by Hermantown’s 302 and International Falls’ 304. Duluth Central, which also qualified as a team for Day 2, is a distant fourth at 328.
“The way things have gone the last two years, we’ve just gotta catch a break,” Broncos junior Glenn Walls said. “For us not to have a breakthrough one of these years would just be impossible.”
The Broncos owned a 1-shot lead two years ago after the first day of the section tournament, and were tied with Hermantown after the first day last year. But after two disastrous Day 2s — dropping 23 shots in 2008 and 13 shots last season — the Broncos still haven’t earned a trip to state.
“Our mindset is to go in confident. Play to win,” said Walls, who tied for fifth Thursday with a 74. “ ... And the outcome will play itself out.”
Brett Musich continued his strong season Thursday with a Bronco-low 71. He finished third individually behind Virginia’s Dan Bidle (67), last year’s runner-up, and Hermantown’s Andrew Oakes (70). The trio, plus Duluth Central’s Ben Wrazidlo, who finished fourth with a 73, tee off today at roughly 11:40 p.m. in the final foursome.
Jeff Shermoen came in third for the Broncos and 11th overall with a 78, while Joel Skirten rounded out the team scoring with an 81. Derek Riley, who qualified for state last year, shot an 85, and Shane Dexter, the Broncos’ lone senior, shot a 96.
“We just gotta have a good team effort,” said Walls, who qualified for state individually with Riley last year.
The weather is expected to be perfect — sunny and in the 70s.
“We’re really going to take full advantage of it I think,” Walls said.
Broncos tee times on Day 2
@ The Quarry at Giants Ridge (all start times a.m.)
Shane Dexter 10:50
Derek Riley 11:00
Joel Skirten 11:10
Jeff Shermoen 11:20
Glenn Walls 11:30
Brett Musich 11:40
