Wayzata Boys Win Third Straight Title

It was unavoidable. Like a game of telephone, knowing the state championship could down to a single stroke, the Wayzata boys golf team kept getting updates on the finals holes of Wednesday’s Class AAA state championship.

With teammates lined up at back-to-back tee boxes and greens, word of mouth from a hole or two behind spread quickly.

“I knew it was going to be tight,” junior Miles Death said. “I knew one putt here or there could be a loss.”

The Trojans endured, firing off a 291 on the final day to tie Rogers for the state title at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids. Wayzata finished the two-day tournament 592, tying Rogers for the title and securing its third consecutive state championship.

This title wasn’t easy.

Heading into Wednesday’s final day, the Trojans needed to not only shoot a low round but also hope they could pick up ground on Rogers and Eden Prairie—each of whom had a two-stroke lead on Wayzata after the first round.

But the Trojans’ roster produced five round of 75 or lower to bounce back into contention, led by Tyler Lowenstein’s par-72 effort. He shot a two-under 34 on his first nine of the day to set the tone.

Fittingly, it was Lowenstein’s score that came into the clubhouse last, which secured a share of the title.

Lowenstein finished tied for third overall. His teammate, Jack Holmgren, finished seventh with a 147, and Death finished tied for eighth with a 148.

Zack Lowenstein finished the tournament with a 151, Jack Higginson finished with a 157 and Andrew Brandt finished with a 160.

Though it was unavoidable, Holmgren said he tried to focus on his own game and not listen to the periodic updates.

“All the guys in my group were asking,” Holmgren said. “I just wanted to keep it to myself. I wanted to stay to myself and not stray much.”

But with a steady hand, the Trojans handled the pressure and secured another state championship—one Holmgren will gladly share with Rogers.

“It feels good,” he said. “Maybe a little more joy and a little more pleasure about doing it ourselves, but we shared it with a great team in Rogers, so it’s all right.”

BOYS TEAM RESULTS — 1. Wayzata 592, 1. Rogers 592, 3. Eden Prairie 602, 4. Moorhead 612, 5. Eastview 617, 6. Lakeville North 618, 7. Elk River 626, 8. Cretin-Derham Hall 649.

BOYS INDIVIDUAL TOP RESULTS — 1. Max Kelly (Forest Lake) 143, 2. McCabe Buege (Rogers) 144, 3. Max Tylke (Eastview) 146, 3. Tyler Lowenstein (Wayzata) 146, 3. Ben Welle (Moorhead) 146, Jon Dutoit (Chaska) 146.