United South Central, Alden-Conger golfers finish state bid

Published 8:39 pm Friday, June 14, 2019

Alden-Conger junior Annika Riebe and United South Central junior Andrew Heggen completed their state golf meet journeys Wednesday afternoon at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker.

Riebe fell from 36th place on day one to a final placing of 46th after a second round of +32. Heggen climbed multiple spots from 40th after day one to 20th overall after a stellar second round of +8.

Riebe got out to a rough start in the second round with a five-over par, two triple bogeys, four double bogeys and two bogeys to make the turn 21 strokes over par. She found her footing in the second nine with just one triple bogey, two double bogeys, four bogeys and two pars. Her final two-day score came to 201 (+57) and landed her in a tie with three other golfers for 46th place.

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Winning the girls’ Class A tournament with a final score of 160 (+16) was Lac Qui Parle junior Rachel Halvorson.

United South Central junior Andrew Heggen watches as his putt traces toward the hole at the Class A Minnesota state golf meet in Becker. Heggen finished the two-day tournament in 20th place with a score of 167. – Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Heggen had a nearly perfect first nine with five pars and a birdie. Three bogeys had him just two strokes over par making the turn. Heggen rounded out the back nine with three pars and six bogeys to record a day two total of 80. His second round was the seventh best of all golfers on the day. His two-day total was 167 (+23) landing him in a tie for 20th place overall with one other golfer.

The winner of the boys’ tournament was Community Chirstian sophomore Brett Reid, who shot a final score of 145 (+1).

“The weather on day two started out a bit cool, but sunny,” said United South Central head coach Brad Heggen. “With better weather and 18 holes of experience under his belt, Andrew was much more comfortable and his score improved dramatically. After two-day totals were tabulated, Andrew’s score of 167 (87-80) moved him all the way up to 20th place overall — an excellent finish for a first-time state qualifier.

“With a good number of quality golfers in the program and taste of the state tournament experience, their 2020 goal is for the entire team to qualify for the state tournament.”

About Tyler Julson

Tyler Julson covers sports for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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