Otter Boys Host Home Golf Invitational
The Otter Boys golf team hosted their annual invite on Friday. Typically the tournament is a 2 day event with 9 varsity and 9 JV teams competing. Due to restrictions with COVID, this year's tournament was a one day event with 5 varsity teams and 7 JV teams competing in the event. On the varsity side, the Otters were led by a trio of 9th graders. Riley McGovern, Gavin Goepferd, and Ryan Nelson all finished in a tie for 10th shooting 79's on a blustery day in Fergus Falls. Sophomore Charlie Fuder, also had his score count with an 80 as the Otters finished with a season best 317. Rounding out the scoring for Fergus were seniors Chance Fazio with an 82, and Sam Western with a 92. "I can't tell you how proud I am of these kids. Our team is so young and they are learning more each time they compete. To have 3 freshmen and a sophomore lead our team shows you the strength of this program and also how bright the future is," said head coach Matt McGovern,
The event was won by Moorhead with an impressive team score of 297. Detroit Lakes finished in 2nd with a team score of 300, Fergus had a 317 to finish 3rd, Roseau was 4th with a 318 and Crookston finished in 5th with a 354. From the individual side, Ian Simonich, a senior from Moorhead won the event with an unbelievable round of 6 under 66. Ian tied the tournament scoring record at Pebble Lake Golf Club joining Chris Swenson who shot a 66 in this same tournament back in 2015 while playing for the Otters.
On the JV side of things, Fergus Falls finished 3rd in the 7 team event with a team score of 346. "We had the youngest team in the field and finished 3rd. All of these kids that competed on the JV side of the event could step in and play varsity now or in the near future. We had two 8th graders, three 9th graders, and a sophomore competing. I keep saying how excited I am about the future of this program and these guys who competed for the JV team are the reason why. These youngsters will continue to push each other to play their best and they are all good friends off the golf course," McGovern said.
Riley McGovern hits his approach shot which led to a birdie. PHOTO by Kelli McGovern
Davis Shol strokes a putt at the difficult 17th hole. PHOTO by ADDIE SHOL
The JV team was led by 8th grader, Adam Kennedy with an 83. Ninth grader, Davis Shol was a stroke behind with an 84 followed by ninth grader Sam Dirkman with an 89. Sophomore, Aidan Swenson shot a 90 to round out the 4 scores for the Otters. Ninth grader, Luke Norgard added a 95 and eighth grader, Jack Welde shot a 96. "This was the 2nd ever tournament for Luke and Jack. They are just starting their golf careers and I am as proud of them as I am of anyone else. They will keep improving fast and will be challenging everyone else as they continue to learn the game." McGovern added.
Detroit Lakes won the JV tournament with a team score of 320. Roseau was 2nd with a 341 finishing just 5 strokes ahead of the 3rd place Otters. Moorhead was 4th with a 351, Alexandria was 5th with a 381, and Crookston rounded out the scoring with a 430.
The Otters varsity team will compete again on Monday at Blackberry Ridge in Sartell and on Tuesday in Willmar. The Otter JV team will be at Wapicada in St. Cloud on Tuesday as well.
