Boys State Golf: Northfield’s defending champ Stevens, Edina’s Wetzel tied after Rd 1

Defending state champion and Northfield senior Nate Stevens caught a bad break on the final hole of the opening round of the Class AAA Boys State Golf Tournament, but still heads into Wednesday’s final round tied with Edina senior Jack Wetzel for the lead at 2-under.

Click the video box on this page to watch extended highlights from many of the players atop the first round leaderboard at the Class AAA Boys State Golf Tournament, and post-round interview with defending champion and co-leader Nate Stevens

Wetzel was the clubhouse leader as Stevens teed off on 18. After bombing a drive straight down the 18th fairway, Stevens’ approach was good… too good. His shot clanked off the flagstick and bounced some 30-40 feet back toward the fairway. Unfazed, Stevens two-putted for par to card a first round 70.

Wetzel walked off 18 as the early leader thanks to some superb shotmaking of his own. His approach on the final hole was almost as good as Stevens, but it settled to within five feet. Wetzel cooly dropped the birdie putt to finish off his round of 2-under, but 2-over on the back nine. Wetzel scorched his front nine, following an opening hole bogey with five birdies to make the turn at 4-under 32.

Stevens and Wetzel share the lead one shot ahead of a five-way logjam for second involving: Alexandria sophomore Bennett Olsen, Rochester Mayo freshman Isaac Ahn, Rosemount senior Owen Rexing, Maple Grove sophomore Ryan Stendahl and Anoka sophomore Tyler Gandrud.

Lakeville North junior Evan Raiche and Moorhead junior Joe Kortan are tied for eighth at even par, two shots off the lead.

In the Class AAA team competition, Edina’s 298 has them in the lead. Spring Lake Park is second at 301. Alexandria and Lakeville North are tied for third at 304, followed by Chanhassen at 309, Eastview at 313, Stillwater Area at 327 and Princeton at 330.

Click here to see the full Class AAA Boys State Golf Tournament first round individual leaderboard

CLASS AA

At the Class AA Tournament at the Ridges at Sand Creek, Southwest Christian’s Jacob Ferrin and St. Croix Lutheran’s Sam Udovich share the lead at 71. Anders Larson of Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Zachery Meyer of Glencoe-Silver Lake are tied for third at 73.

Pine Island/Zumbrota leads the Class AA team event with a 309, eleven shots ahead of second-placed Totino-Grace. Roseau is in third at 322.

Click here to see the full Class AA Boys State Golf Tournament first round leaderboard

CLASS A

At the Class A Tournament at Pebble Creek, Cole Witherow from New Life Academy and Noah Scullard-Bender from Duluth Marshall share the lead at 73. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Gannon Walsh and Fertile-Beltrami’s Rylin Petry are tied for third at 75.

Fertile-Beltrami’s 323 gives them a 10-shot lead in the Class A team event. Duluth Marshall is second at 333 with Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa in third at 339.

Click here to see the full Class A Boys State Golf Tournament first round leaderboard

Final rounds are Wednesday at each tournament site.