Golf: Tigers compete at state

BECKER — Pine River-Backus’ Joseph Zaczkowski closed with a par in the final round of the Class 1A State Tournament Wednesday, June 15, at Pebble Creek Golf Club.

Zaczkowski followed up his opening round 89 with a 94 to shoot a 183 and tie for 60th.

“I think Joe did as well as he could in those conditions,” head coach Steve Heslop said. “Joe has a really high shot, and the wind really carried. I think off the tee, he switched to a 4-iron. It was the right move to go to a club he had a little more faith in.”

Zaczkowski went out in 48 as he opened with an eight on the par 4 first hole. He found himself 10-over after the first four holes, but finished the front nine with three pars and two bogeys.

Like the front, Zaczkowski struggled to start the back as he went 7-over on the first five holes. But brought it home with three bogeys and a par for a 46.

Heslop said he expects Zaczkowski to continue improving over the summer, and come into his senior season with plenty of motivation.“I just want to thank the parents,” Heslop said. “It wasn’t the easiest season to keep track of with the weather – I think I was in (activities director) Tim Tungseth’s office about every other day – but it was a great experience for the kids.”

BECKER — Cate Travis improved by one stroke from her opening round to shoot a 99 in the Class 1A State Tournament’s final round Wednesday, June 15 at Pebble Creek Golf Club.

Travis’ two-day 199 put her in a tie for 38th place.

“Cate played like she had been there before,” head coach Mark Gonnion said. “This was her first time at state, but she was calm and looked like she was having a good time out there.”

The Pine River-Backus junior shot nine of 47 and 52. She opened with two eights to find herself 7-over after two holes, but calmed things down by going just 4-over on the next seven holes.

Teammate Hannah Barchus, in her third trip to state, fired a two-day 233 to finish alone in 77th place.

“Hannah had just about every bad break you can imagine,” Gonnion said. “I think she hit almost every sand trap on the course. That’s the way golf goes sometimes … but she never gave up.”

Both girls – along with the entire field – faced high winds throughout the tournament. Gonnion said balls were moving on their own across the greens.

The two will have a chance to improve on their scores next season.

“Both girls are seniors next year,” Gonnion said. “I think they come into next year ready to go.”

Dan Determan, sports writer/staff writer, may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@pineandlakes.com . Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Dan .