Peterson leads Tigers to 5th place team finish, shoots for par

The Albert Lea boys’ golf team earned fifth place Thursday on Day 1 of the Section 1AAA golf tournament.

The Tigers were led by junior Lucas Peterson, who completed the course at Bellwood Oaks in 73 strokes.

“He shot an even par,” Albert Lea boys’ golf coach Casey McIntyre said. “There were sustained 20 to 25 mph winds all day, and for him to shoot that score in those conditions was very impressive.”

Freshman Sam Chalmers stepped up for the third straight outing. After shooting a 79 at Rice Lake Golf Course against United South Central and a 86 at the Big Nine Conference meet in Rochester, he shot an 83.

“For an eighth-grader to shoot an 83 with those conditions and that kind of pressure, that’s admirable,” McIntyre said.

Rounding out the Tigers’ scoring was Brent Nafzger with an 84, and Nate Stadheim with 87.

Day 2 of the section tournament will continue at Bellwood Oaks at 10 a.m. Monday.