Detroit Lakes Dominates as Smith Wins Second AA Title Sharing Medalist Honors With Roth

By Nick Hunter
nhunter23@hotmail.com

   JORDAN, Minn. – Not even a five-hour rain delay could slow down the Detroit Lakes girls golf team as they rolled over the competition Wednesday at the 2013 Minnesota State High School Class AA Golf Tournament at Ridges at Sand Creek.

The tournament was shortened to 27 holes after thunderstorms and heavy rain delayed the start of the tournament over five hours.

Some players waited as long as seven hours to tee off for the final round. Detroit Lakes seemed to have little trouble weathering the storm all week as the team cruised to a 31-stroke victory, its second straight, and finished four girls in the Top 10 with Natalie Roth and Kate Smith earning co-medalist honors.

Roth, a junior, shot a 2-under par 70 during Tuesday’s opening round and had one clear goal in mind heading into the final round.

“I want to medal. Simple as that,” she said after Tuesday’s round.

Roth continued her strong play Wednesday shooting a 2-over par to finish the tournament at 108 (70-38) and accomplished her goal of medaling.

“Our season as a whole was a big success. Our goal was to go the entire season undefeated and our team did that which is amazing for all of us. It’s a great goal to be able to accomplish,” Roth said. “Individually, I shot a lot of good scores earlier in the year, which I was happy about. Shooting my career low yesterday was perfect timing and just icing on the cake.”

As tee times were set to begin at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, the rain delayed everything at least five hours. Roth was in the last group of the tournament to tee off and didn’t do so until after 3 p.m.

“The weather wasn’t really a problem for me. Deep down I knew that I would play today; it was slower than I anticipated, especially on some holes which gets you thinking more than you should but overall the weather was never an issue,” Roth said. “I finally got to check off one of my goals. I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished. It’s a good confidence booster knowing that if I set a goal that I’m able to reach it,” she said.

Roth will share medalist honors with defending champion Kate Smith who as a freshman has won back-to-back individual and team titles.

“I wanted to improve on how I played yesterday, even though I played about the same,” Smith laughed. “Everyone has their own individual goals. It’s hard to gauge the emotions because I want (Natalie) to do well but I want to play well myself.”

With a shortened tournament Smith knew it was going to be a difficult final round knowing there would be no wiggle room for mistakes.

“It was very tough to play today. You’ve got to get hot right away and you’ve got to get your game going because there isn’t a back nine you can improve on,” she said.

Smith being only a freshman has already accomplished what few players do in their entire high school careers. She has the opportunity to do something truly incredible, and that is to win five state championships. Along with the accolades, Smith knows the downside to all of the attention.

“It was a stressful morning. It would be nice to win as a senior to go out with a championship, but I’ve got four more years. It feels great to win but I know there is only going to be more pressure,” Smith admitted.

The Lakers also got contributions from Trisa Hutchinson and Sydney Busker, both of whom finished in the Top 10.

Minnewaska, although it couldn’t overcome a 19-stroke deficit Wednesday, still got strong play from senior Alexis Guggisberg who shot a 112 to finish alone in fourth place and by sophomore Jenna Janu, who finished in a tie for fifth shooting 113.

Pequot Lakes got a strong showing from senior Savannah Stone who finished at 111 to finish in third place while sophomore Maggie Heggerston played well to finish at 113, tied for fifth.

RIDGES AT SAND CREEK
JORDAN, MINN.
PAR 72, 5,136 YARDS

FINAL RESULTS (45 HOLES)

TEAM
1. Detroit Lakes 297-151—448
2. Minnewaska 316-163—479
3. Pequot Lakes 327-157—484
4. Lake City 347-163—510
5. Providence Academy 353-172—525
6. Visitation 360-176—536
7. Hibbing 381-187—568
8. Fairmont 379-209—588

INDIVIDUAL
T1. Natalie Roth, Jr., Detroit Lakes, 70-38—108
T1. Kate Smith, Fr., Detroit Lakes, 72-36—108
3. Savannah Stone, Sr., Pequot Lakes, 76-35—111
4. Alexis Guggisberg, Sr., Minnewaska, 77-35—112
T5. Maggie Heggerston, So., Pequot Lakes, 75-38—113
T5. Jenna Janu, So., Minnewaska, 76-37—113
T7. Emma Groom, So., St. Croix Lutheran, 81-33—114
T7. Anni Heck, 8th, Visitation, 77-37—114
T7. Trisa Hutchinson, Jr., Detroit Lakes, 77-37—114
T10. Sydney Busker, So., Detroit Lakes, 78-40—118
T10. Hanna Peterson, So., Marshall, 74-44—118

Complete Results