With perfect conditions and many teams in the East Region returning their key players from a year ago, there were plenty of low scores at the Grand Forks Invitational.
But no one could touch Fargo Shanley junior Trent Olson.
Olson was the only player to shoot under 70, as he carded a 68 for medalist honors Monday at King's Walk in the first East Region meet of the season.
It was the first medalist honor of Olson's career. He bested a field that included eight golfers who finished in the top 10 at last year's East Region postseason meet. At that meet, Olson finished five strokes outside of the top 10.
But to start this season, Olson has found himself at the top of the pack.
ADVERTISEMENT
"He's a very steady player," Shanley coach Don Johnson said. "He said he hit 17 greens in regulation. The only one that didn't get on the green was just on the fringe.
"He really hits it well off the tee, and his irons play well."
Olson shot a 33 on the front nine and a 35 on the back nine.
It still wasn't enough to give the Deacons the team title, however. Fargo South's depth prevailed as the team winner. The Bruins had four of the top five finishes.
Three Bruins tied for second place as Brock Ellingson, Tanner Jones and Coy Papachek each shot 71s. South's Lukas Davison shot a 72 to finish fifth.
The Bruins finished with 285 strokes, while West Fargo -- led by 73s from Logan Palmer and John Sand -- followed with 297 strokes and Shanley was third with 305 strokes.
Grand Forks Central finished fourth (306) and Grand Forks Red River was seventh (311). Each school was narrowly edged out of a better finish. The Knights were one stroke out of third place and the Roughriders were one stroke out of fifth place.
Central was paced by a 73 from senior Danny Ray, who finished tied for 10th with Red River's top scorer Brady Ohman.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Knights also received scores from Ty Kennedy (75), Justin Moody (79) and Jared Sorlien (79).
"I was happy with how we played today," Central coach Sue Ann Lund said. "There's room for improvement. But four guys in the 70s is a good way to start the year. Jared had a nice day with a 79 and Danny's 73 is the best round he's had for us. He's had a great week."
Red River was rounded out with James Arnason (78), Evan Bollinger (78) and Luke Strom (82).
"I'm sure James was a little disappointed in his score," Red River coach Merle Mikkelsen said. "He's shot a better score when there are 30 mile-per-hour winds here.
"We had good scores from Evan and Brady. Some of our young guys did good, so I was happy with that."
And everyone was happy with the conditions at King's Walk.
"All the coaches said the greens were great and the fairways were good," Mikkelsen said. "The course is in super shape."
