In the first meet of the season without Hermantown or Virginia, International Falls ran away with an easy first-place finish Wednesday at the Bronco Invitational at the Falls Country Club.
All five Broncos finished in the top eight at their home course, and the team score of 301 crushed runner-up Fort Frances, which carded a 318. Eveleth-Gilbert was third at 357, Dryden fourth at 359, Mesabi East fifth at 372, a second International Falls team finished sixth at 374 and Hibbing rounded out the invite with a 405.
It was International Falls’ third straight championship at the Bronco Invitational.
“We were hoping to have a little more competition, but you gotta do what you gotta do I guess,” said Broncos junior Glenn Walls, who won medalist honors with an even-par 72.
Hermantown has never come up for the Bronco Invite, but Virginia used to be a regular. However, the Blue Devils traveled to Fairmont last weekend instead of coming up to the Falls. Virginia already has a full schedule.
“I’m kind of disappointed,” Broncos sophomore Brett Musich said. “Virginia for sure. They usually give us a lot of competition.”
Walls had little competition at the top, especially after firing a 3-under par 34 on the front nine. He had four birdies and one bogey through the first nine holes.
“I felt good. I had a great start today,” Walls said.
Walls’ back nine was highlighted by a near hole in one on No. 14. Walls looked away after his tee shot, knowing it was heading safely toward the green. When he looked up, however, the ball had darted to the right about 5 feet.
“It hit the left edge (of the cup) and kind of kicked right,” Walls said. Eveleth-Gilbert’s Anton Skerjance was playing with Walls and witnessed the ricochet. Walls said Skerjance couldn’t believe it didn’t go in.
“I was hoping it would’ve went in,” Walls said, noting he’s never hit an ace.
Musich kept up his steady play, as well, finishing second with a 74. Derek Riley and Jeff Shermoen tied for sixth with 78s and Shane Dexter finished eighth with an 81.
Musich, who witnessed a hole in one Monday at the Wilderness at Fortune Bay, has now shot 75-74 in back-to-back tournaments.
“I’m just trying to stay focused. Make more birdies and trying to keep my head,” he said, noting he had 14 pars Monday and 13 more Wednesday.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he added.
It’s well-known that the heavy favorites in Section 7AA are Hermantown, Virginia and International Falls. All three schools have taken turns winning tournaments this season.
“Every guy has to beat the guy from Virginia they’re playing with. From Hermantown,” Walls said.
Golf notes
• Prior to Wednesday’s meet, Walls was tied for third in Class 2A with a 74.5 scoring average. Virginia’s Dan Bidle was the only other Section 7AA golfer in the top 10. Bidle was 10th at 75.1.
Team rankings for Class A and 2A combined has International Falls in third (313) and Virginia tied for fourth (313.1). Hermantown isn’t in the top 10.
• Last year’s Bronco Invitational medalist, Travis Blais, was in the clubhouse at the end of the meet. Blais captured medalist honors last year by defeated Riley on the first playoff hole.
