COON RAPIDS &045; According to coach Matt Addington, it wasn’t a case of nerves that plagued Albert Lea’s Dan Breuer in the Class AA state boys’ golf tournament.

It was just the nature of the game.

Breuer, a senior and the Tigers’ lone state entrant in golf this spring, had another tough round Wednesday in his final 18 holes at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids, a 14-over-par 86. Combined with an opening-day 80, after which he was tied for 38th place, Breuer finished with 166 strokes, tied with three others for 70th place. Eighty-eight golfers started and 87 finished.

&uot;It was another disappointing day for Dan,&uot; said Addington. &uot;He didn’t have his best game with him. In fact, he had some of his worst shots of the year and just couldn’t get it together. It was not a nerves thing. Just like everyone who has ever played the game of golf knows, you have bad days. Unfortunately for Dan, it happened to him here.&uot;

Breuer had high expectations at state after winning the Section 1AA tournament with a record 138 strokes for 36 holes, 18 at Owatonna Country Club and 18 at Bellwood Oaks near Hastings.

Clint Cornell, a senior from Grand Rapids, shot 144 and won a three-way playoff for the state championship. First-round leader Clayton Rask of Elk River finished fourth, one stroke back at 145.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s held onto the first day lead and took the team title with 604 strokes. Section 1AA champion Owatonna remained in second, totaling 611, with Elk River third at 616.

Addington said Breuer had an excellent season regardless of his state tournament showing and that he should be proud of the way he conducted himself during two difficult rounds.

&uot;Through it all, Dan represented us well, the school and the community,&uot; said Addington. &uot;He played through some very frustrating shots and scores with class. We were proud to have him there. He had an outstanding year.&uot;