Riley’s 79 puts him in a tie for 31st
If Glenn Walls’ 70 at his practice round Tuesday was any indication that he enjoys the Ridges at Sand Creek, then his 1-under par 71 Wednesday solidified that notion and puts Walls’ name among the best golfers in Minnesota — literally.
Walls’ 71 put him in a two-way tie for the lead at the Class 2A state tournament — with Red Wing senior Mark Giorgi — and it puts the sophomore in prime position to become only the second golfer in school history to win a state championship. Jeff Lindvall carded the lone Bronco state title back in 1972, according to Broncos head coach Bill Mason.
“It really fits (my game),” Walls said about the Ridges at Sand Creek. “It has some holes you can take advantage of, and it’s a course where you can’t get too greedy. You have to focus on accuracy and control.”
Walls, Giorgi, Duluth Marshall’s Joe Kozlak and Frazee’s Beau Hanson all tee off this morning at 8:06 a.m. The champion should be crowned roughly five hours after that. Kozlak and Hanson are both two shots back of the leaders.
“I set myself up good today for a good round tomorrow,” Walls said. “My goal is to shoot well tomorrow and hope everything goes well. The goal is to win.”
Walls’ teammate and fellow Broncos sophomore Derek Riley shot a 79 Wednesday and is tied for 31st. He tees off today at 7:48 a.m. Both Riley and Walls are first-time state participants.
Giorgi and St. Cloud Cathedral’s Nathan Hoefflin entered the state tournament tied for the No. 1 ranking in Class 2A with a 73.2 average this season, but Walls was close behind at 73.6, as of May 16. Holy Angels’ Adam Pogue was fourth at 73.9 and Fairmont’s Myles Pfingsten was fifth at 74.3.
Hoefflin is five shots back at 76, Pogue is four shots back at 75 and Pfingsten, who finished tied for sixth last year at state, is three shots back at 74. Andrew Oakes of Hermantown, who finished second last year, is tied for 21st after his 78.
Giorgi made himself famous at last year’s state tournament in front of a large gallery on Day 1 when he five-putted a hole in treacherous weather conditions. He recovered in the second round and finished tied for 13th.
The Republican Eagle newspaper in Red Wing reported Giorgi developed a case of the “shanks” at his practice round Tuesday, but the senior was still able to finish Wednesday with a 71.
“I’m not confident at all when I stand over the ball,” Giorgi told the Republican Eagle on Wednesday. “I’m afraid I’m going to shank it.”
2009 Class 2A Boys State Golf Tournament
at Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan, Minn.
Day 1 Leaderboard
Player, School Grade Score
1. Glenn Walls, International Falls 10 34-37 71
1. Mark Giorgi, Red Wing 12 36-35 71
3. Patrick Johnson, Orono 10 36-36 72
4. Beau Hanson, Frazee 9 36-37 73
4. Joe Kozlak, Duluth Marshall 12 36-37 73
6. Dan Bidle, Virginia 11 37-37 74
6. Channing Tipton, Rochester Lourdes 10 39-35 74
6. Myles Pfingsten, Fairmont 10 38-36 74
9. Jordan Priem, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 12 39-36 75
9. Alex Kolquist, Hermantown 12 36-39 75
9. Adam Pogue, Holy Angels 12 38-37 75
T31. Derek Riley, International Falls 10 41-38 79
