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Then came the rains…. It was a good start but not so good finish for Sibley East’s Tyler Petzel in the Class AA State Golf Tournament played Thursday and Friday at Ridges at Sand Creek near Jordan.

According to Sibley East golf coach Jim Amsden, Petzel was playing well and confident before play was suspended halfway through round one due to the weather. When play resumed Friday, Petzel had lost his confidence and struggled with the windy conditions, Amsden explained.

Petzel, a junior, opened played Thursday with a three-over par 39. He carded two birdies on the front nine and was in good position to birdie or par the par five, tenth hole. But, that is when play was suspended for the day due to the weather.

According to coach Amsden, it was an earlier than anticipated tee off for players Friday. Petzel struggled from the start and finished round one with a 51 in the blustery conditions. He would shoot 54 – 49 over the final eighteen holes of action.

Petzel, the first golfer in Sibley East history to qualify for the State meet, finished 84th in the individual standings with a 193 total.

“Hopefully Tyler will remember his good start and not his tough finish,” coach Amsden said. “Conditions were tough throughout the meet but this was a great experience for him. I am sure playing in the state meet will only be a confidence booster for Tyler next season.”

Petzel was one of two Minnesota River Conference boy golfers in the Class AA state tournament. Holy Family junior Augustin Ruta finished 23rd with rounds of 80 and 82.

The top area finisher in the boys’ tourney was Glencoe-Silver Lake senior Steve Slater. He finished 48th with a pair of 84’s.

Orono and Detroit Lakes shared the Class AA team title with scores of 639. That was six strokes better than third place Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

The individual state champion was Pierz senior Robert Bell. His 151 total was three strokes better than runnerup Andrew Oakes of Hermantown.