Walls finishes tied for seventh

The Broncos sophomore even joked about the weather being too good.

Walls, who entered the final round tied for the lead at 71 with Red Wing’s Mark Giorgi, shot a 9-over par 81 to finish seven strokes back from the Red Wing senior, who carded a 74 to capture Red Wing High School’s first individual state title in golf. Giorgi’s two-day total was 145 (71-74), while Walls finished at 152 (71-81). Patrick Johnson of Orono finished second at 146 (72-74).

“He deserved it,” Walls said of Giorgi. “He played a great round of golf today and made the right moves. Didn’t make any mistakes.”

Orono won the Class 2A team title with a two-day total of 607 (308-299). Hermantown finished runner-up at 618 (312-306) and Rochester Lourdes was third at 631 (314-317).

Walls played with Giorgi, Duluth Marshall’s Joe Kozlak and Frazee’s Beau Hanson. Hanson, a freshman, and Giorgi dueled, while Walls and Kozlak struggled. Kozlak shot an 84 to finish tied for 28th after starting the day tied for fourth. Walls’ 81 was his worst tally of the season and only his second score of 80 or higher. His first 80 came in the final round of the Section 7AA tournament.

“Those two 80s were my first two 80s in a long time. I don’t know. I got to the course and I felt good at the range and I hit some good shots. I think the pressure got to me. There were college coaches and it’s really tough to finish like that,” said Walls.

“It was fun to watch (Giorgi and Hanson), but wish I was in there,” he added. “I was kind of out of contention after nine. It was kind of a bad deal.”

As Walls recounted his final round, he couldn’t help but continue to wonder what happened to his game. He fired a 70 at his practice round Tuesday before following with Wednesday’s 71.

Walls opened with a solid tee shot on the first hole, but he snap-hooked an approach shot and continued his poor iron play through the first five holes, where he started 4-over.

“It rattled me pretty good,” Walls said about his start. “Then coming down the stretch I had a couple pars to finish and I felt good coming into the back.”

He birdied No. 10 before struggling again on 11. A tricky wind made him come up short on a par 3, and he chunked the next shot onto a section of the green that set up what Walls called a “crazy putt.” He blew it way past and three-putted for a double bogey.

“That took away the birdie,” he said.

Walls’ round finished with a birdie on the par 5 18th — highlighted by a 240-yard approach shot with a 3-wood settling to within 10 feet. Overall, he finished with eight bogeys, seven pars, two birdies and one double bogey.

“He was a little disappointed, but he made a good birdie on that hole,” said Derek Riley, Walls’ teammate who finished tied for 45th at state following his 82. “And I don’t blame him (for being disappointed), but placing seventh as a 10th grader, that’s pretty good.”

Riley, who like Walls was playing in his first state tournament, finished with a two-day total of 161 (79-82). He went 41-41 in the final round.

“It was fun,” he said. “I wish I could’ve played a little better, but it was fun.”

Both sophomores plan to lead next year’s team into action with high expectations. The Broncos only lose two golfers to graduation — Travis Blais and Justin Mayer.

“Shooting a 71 and having a tournament lead was great,” Walls said. “I know I can do it.

“I just gotta keep playing and hopefully things will turn out good.”

2009 Class 2A Boys State Golf Tournament

at Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan, Minn.

Final Leaderboard

Player, School Grade Final

1. Mark Giorgi, Red Wing 12 71-74 145

2. Patrick Johnson, Orono 10 72-74 146

3. Nathan Hoefflin, St. Cloud Cathedral 12 76-72 148

4. Beau Hanson, Frazee 9 73-76 149

4. Jordan Priem, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 12 75-74 149

4. Alex Kolquist, Hermantown 12 75-74 179

7. Glenn Walls, International Falls 10 71-81 152

7. David Stofer, Breck 12 78-74 152

9. Myles Pfingsten, Fairmont 10 74-79 153

9. Michael Roedl, Minnehaha Academy 10 76-77 153

9. Pierce Peters, Minnewaska 12 78-75 153

T45. Derek Riley, International Falls 10 79-82 161