Orono Boys Golf: Four-Peat In Sight

There are perks that come with being a three-time defending state champion. 

For one, heading into Wednesday and Thursday’s Class AA meet, the Orono boys golf team knows every nook and cranny the Ridges at Sand Creek course has to offer.

“A lot of us feel really comfortable here,” senior Dakota Clark said. “We’ve played here the past couple years. We just have a couple key advantages on other teams that don’t know where to hit it.”

The Spartans hope to use that comfort level to spark another benefit that comes with been the three-time champs: One more win, and Orono will become the third team in history to win four straight titles, matching Waconia in 1977-80, Bemidji in 1988-91 and Rochester Lourdes in 2000-03.

Orono will begin that quest when the state meet begins Wednesday with a 7:30 a.m. tee time in Jordan.

One thing the Spartans have learned during their three-year title reign is the importance of a fast start on the first day. This year’s team, which features four seniors with plans of playing college golf, understand it’s critical to start strong.

Fortunately for the Spartans, coach Doug Erickson said all six players have the ability to lead the way.

“The strength of our team is that all six of our players can shoot low,” Erickson said. “All six guys are so competitive against each other, it’s almost like if you’d be around them you’d think it’d be six brothers.”

No question, these six teammates feed off each other both on and off the course.

After Tuesday’s practice round at Ridges, the Spartans returned to their hotel to enjoy a little bonding time before the tournament gets under way on Wednesday. Senior Brian Urness said the group felt relaxed and tension-free together.

“It’s awesome to be apart of,” Urness said. “It’s the camaraderie between us on the team. It’s great.”

Urness is the lone senior out of five not playing golf in college next season. Patrick Johnston is set to play at the University of Minnesota, Matt Peterson at the University of St. Thomas, Miles Knutsen at the Air Force Academy and Clark at the University of South Dakota.

Johnston finished tied for third at last year’s state meet, while Knutsen took sixth and Urness finished eighth. The Spartans, full of experience, hope to repeat those individual finishes to help propel the team into another state championship.

Top to bottom, the Spartans have the tools to and the depth to win their fourth title. Erickson said it’s all about each individual aiming for a 75 score across the board.

“If you shoot 300 both days, you pretty much win state,” Erickson said. “That’s a 75 for each player. We’ve got six guys that can shoot 75 or better. The key for us is to go out there, play our game and know it doesn’t depend on one guy.”

Clark, who won the Wright County Conference title and was medalist at the Section 5AA meet, said he feels fortunate to play on a team full of talented golfers.

“It’s almost like a preview of college for a lot of us,” Clark said. “This is what a college golf team feels like to me.”

Notes:

—Freshman Dan Lensing, who tied for 21st with a round of 76 in the rain-shortened state meet last season, broke the third metatarsal in one of his feet on Monday. He wore a boot at Tuesday’s practice round and was cleared to play Wednesday.

—Three schools have won three straight state titles but failed to win a fourth: Austin 1979-81, North Branch 1964-66 and Duluth Central 1944-46

—Day 1 tee time:

Miles Knutsen 8:15 a.m.

Dan Lensing 8:24 a.m.

Patrick Johnston 8:33 a.m.

Matt Peterson 8:51 a.m.

Brian Urness 8:42 a.m.

Dakota Clark 9:00 a.m.