I was in Willmar Wednesday for section golf. I’m always in awe of young golfers that do well, 7th and 8th graders that make golfing look so easy.

I golf so I know how difficult and frustrating it can be. I’m not a very good golfer but I enjoy the challenge it brings. One swing of the golf club and the golf ball slices, then the next swing I can put the ball on the green next to the hole. So one minute you’re frustrated and want to quit and the next minute you think you’re Tiger Woods. My problem is I’m not consistent.

Watching high school golfers is fun. They are so consistent. What amazes me about 7th and 8th grade golfers is that most of them are small. Their bodies are still growing but they can hit the ball 250 yards or better and consistently hit the ball straight. These kids are getting pars and throwing in a birdie once in a while. I remember at state golf a few years ago watching LQPV Eagles Rachel Halvorson, then a 7th grader hitting the ball a mile and straight every swing! It was amazing and fun to watch. I remember thinking, “How does she do that?” The same can be said about Carson Besonen of the Eagles, he made state as an 8th grader and I followed him for a few holes and was amazed at how well he hit the ball. Why can’t I do that? I’m stronger and bigger than they are and yet they could out hit me and are much more consistent than I am.

Just to name a few 7th and 8th graders that are on teams that I follow. Dawson/Boyd’s Carson Stratmoen an 8th grader qualified for the state golf tournament last Wednesday at Eagle Creek. What a thrill for an 8th grader! When I was in 8th grade I could only dream of playing a varsity sport. Carson not only plays on the varsity team but he is really good at what he does. I’m excited to see him play at Pebble Creek in Becker.

The Blackjacks have two 7th grade girls that golf on varsity, Claire Stratmoen and Kylar Hjelmeland. LQPV has Peyton Sachs an 8th grader on the section champion Eagles girls team and Grant Bjerke on the boys team. Grant is also an 8th grader and taking after his dad, Eric, who was a state golfer for LQPV back in the 90’s. Canby has 7th graders Maddison Richter and Daven VanEngen. Minneota boys have Brayden Kollman an 8th grader and Jase Sorenson a 7th grader. So you can see the schools I cover have some young and very good golfers. I’m sure they all live on their local golf course during the summer.

I am super excited to attend the state golf tournament at Pebble Creek in Becker June 13th and 14th. I will be focusing on the 7th and 8th graders golfing at state and maybe do a few interviews with them. It just blows my mind that someone so young is participating in a state tournament. So happy for them, what a moment for them and their families.