Huron golfers finish third in ESD meet

HURON — Despite facing some undesirable conditions, the Huron boys’ golf team emerged with a third-place finish during the Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet, which was held Saturday at Broadland Creek Golf Course.
A pair of golfers earned All-ESD honors for the Tigers, who finished with a team score of 343, which was just six strokes off the pace set by ESD champion Yankton.
The Bucks used a score of 337 to edge Brookings by a stroke for the top spot. Harrisburg finished fourth at 344, which was one stroke behind Huron and one stroke ahead of Watertown. Aberdeen Central was sixth at 347, followed by Brandon Valley at 354, Mitchell at 355 and Pierre at 387.
“It was a great day for the team, placing third overall,” Huron coach Chris Rozell said. “It was a tough day weather-wise, so we showed a bit of toughness. I’m proud of our guys.”
Drew Cole of Brookings had the lone sub-80 score in the event to claim the individual ESD title. He carded a 75 to finish five strokes ahead of the next  nearest golfers.
Will Allen of Harrisburg won a two-hole playoff to claim the second spot over Gavin Haselhorst of Yankton. They both finished with an 80.

Gavin Hatch of Harrisburg and Ethan Vikander of Aberdeen Central shared the fourth spot with scores of 81.
Landon Roberts was the highest finishing golfer for Huron. He used a score of 82 to share the sixth spot with Michael Frick of Yankton.
Jake Olson of Watertown was eighth at 83, while Marty Boetel of Huron and Jesse Roberts of Brookings shared the ninth spot with scores of 84.
“It was a great day for Landon Roberts and Marty Boetel making All-ESD,” Rozell said.
Also earning All-ESD honors were Emmet Hanson of Brandon Valley (85), Drew Norberg of Watertown (87), Austin Frick of Yankton (87), Tucker Wookey of Watertown (87), Kade Clark of Mitchell (87) and Alec Rice of Brookings (87).
Will Smith just missed earning All-ESD honors for the Tigers, finishing with an 88 to share the 17th spot.
Mason Rozell finished at 89 for Huron to claim a share of the 22nd spot. Jacob Wehde had a 96, while Nathan Gauer finished at 106.
The ESD meet capped the regular season for the Tigers. Next up will be the Class AA State Tournament on Oct. 1-2 in Brookings.

PHOTOS BY MIKE CARROLL/PLAINSMAN
Huron’s Landon Roberts putts on the No. 16 green during the Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet on Saturday at Broadland Creek Golf Course.

Next, Huron’s Will Smith chips onto the 18th green during the Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet on Saturday.