Bulldog Golfers Narrowly Miss State

The Milbank Bulldog boys golf team was close – just six strokes shy- to qualifying for the State Class A golf tournament during the Region 1A meet in Madison on September 26. Adam Thomas missed the state tournament by one stroke, Gage Sayler by two strokes, and Noah Pillatzki was just three strokes short.

“Yesterday was just not our best day,” stated head golf coach Mark Keeton. “The weather conditions were tough with high winds. When I look back at the season as a whole, I think we made a lot of improvements. At the region tournament what hurt us was our inability to avoid the big number. This time is always tough for a coach as you are looking for things you could have done better. On the bright side, we will have most of our team back next fall. With some hard work in the off season, we could surprise some teams next year.”

Thomas shot a 104 (57-47) and Sayler was one stroke behind at 105 (50-55). Pillatzki finished with a 106 (49-57). Rounding out the team for the Bulldogs were Conner VanVooren, 117 (50-67) and Will Mischel, 119 (61-58).

Milbank landed in seventh place in the team standings with a 432. Aberdeen Roncalli was crowned the Region 1A champion with a 351. Sioux Valley captured the runner-up title with a 363. Sisseton was close behind with a 369 and also heads to the state meet. Madison finished fourth overall with a 374, but had five players qualifying individually, therefore, they are eligible to compete for the team title at the state meet.

Rounding out the scores were:Dell Rapids, 400; Groton, 402; McCook Central-Montrose, 448; and Tri-Valley, 468.