Belisle, Kronbeck, Knudsen and Bjorngaard Win MGA Boys' Team Title; Terwilliger, Ouyang and Kim Cruise

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  LAKEVILLE, Minn. – Entering the final round of the 2017 Minnesota Golf Association Junior Boys’ Team Championship with a share of the lead Tuesday, the foursome of Cecil Belisle, Spencer Kronbeck, Luke Knudsen and Drew Bjorngaard posted a final-round 221 to earn a three-stroke victory at Heritage Links Golf Club.

The winning squad, all from Red Wing, bettered the Detroit Lakes foursome of Ben Unruh, Isaac Cihak, Wyatt Blomseth and Aaron Schnathorst who finished in a tie for second at 452 along with the Lakeville team of John Langlois, Bennett Thomas, Brandon Sperling and Ben Rasinski.

A strong summer continues for Belisle, who won the Class AA individual state title in June before an impressive showing at the 114th MGA Amateur Championship at Interlachen Country Club where he finished inside the top-30, helped by an opening-round 72.

Belisle earned medalist honors Tuesday, firing a 71 to begin the championship Monday before posting the only score below par on the final day with a 2-under par 69 to finish at 140 to lead his squad.

Kronbeck opened with a 7-over par 78 Monday, but bounced ball well during the final 18 holes to card a 75, while teammate Bjorngaard added a round of 77 to contribute in a winning cause.

The Detroit Lakes foursome was led by Blomseth, who finished at 6-over par 148 Tuesday, thanks in part to a final-round 71 to lead his group, while Schnathorst improved one stroke from the previous round to shoot 74 on the final day to finish at 149.

Playing on their home course, Thomas led the way for the Lakeville foursome by carding a 72 on the final day of competition to finish at 147, while Sperling improves three shots from the opening round to finish at 9-over par 151.


Terwilliger, Ouyang and Kim Come From Behind to Win Girls’ Division
Erasing a one-stroke deficit heading into Tuesday’s final round the Edina trio of Amy Terwilliger, Isabelle Ouyang and Joanna Kim cruised to a 12-stroke victory by posting a final-round 146, defeating first-round leaders Alayna and Amelia Simonds and Cayla and Claudia Kim.

Ouyang’s 4-over par 75 paced the team on the opening day before shooting a tournament-low 70 Tuesday to earn medalist honors by seven shots at 3-over par 145.

Kim contributed to her team’s success with an 83 to start the championship Monday but answered the call on the final day, shooting 5-over par 76 in a winning effort.

Combining to shoot 157 to begin the championship with a one-shot lead Monday, the Kim and Simonds sisters struggled during the final round Tuesday as Cayla Kim led the way with an 8-over par 79. Her sister, Claudia, posted an 80 during her final round
as the foursome posted a final round 159.