DeBoer Wins Third and Bulldogs Take 10th at State Golf

Milbank junior Jonathan DeBoer wrapped up his fifth season as a varsity starter by tying for third place at South Dakota’s 2024 State A Golf Tournament. DeBoer also was named to the 2024 All Tournament Team. The tournament was hosted at Central Valley Golf Course in Hartford on Tuesday, October 8. It went down to the wire for the top three, and that trend continued into the top 10 with 11th place going to the medalist from the 2023 state tournament. 

In the race for the individual title, DoBoer and Logan Collette of Dakota Valley were locked in a tie for first place at the end of day one. They both recorded three-over 75s. Collette shot one stroke better than DeBoer on day two. Canton’s Carson Steffensen also made a run for the top spot in the second round after lagging by two strokes at the end of the first day. DeBoer finished tied at 151. Collette finished at 149 to take the title. Steffensen wedged into second place at 150.

Bulldog Owen Fischer took 47th place with his 176 ( 81/95). Charlie Peery ended at T66. He shot 187 (99/88).  Gregory Grabow recorded 206 (108/98) to finish at T83. Ryan Keeton shot a 105 in the first round.

MIlbank squeaked into the top-10 teams in the state by coming home in 10th place with 717 points. Dakota Valley won the title with 615 points, just 39 over.

Team Standings:
1.Dakota Valley –615
2.Vermillion –629
3. Aberdeen Roncalli –661
4. St. Thomas More –664
5. Groton Area –666
6. Sioux Falls Christian –673
7. Sioux Valley –695
8. Parkston –703
9. Winner –713
10. Milbank –717 (360/357)
11. Custer –719
12. Chamberlain –752
13. Mount Vernon – Plankinton –773
14. Hot Springs –784
15 Belle Fourche –No Score

Mark Keeton, head coach for the Bulldogs said, “It was a long three days with a lot of golf.  Proud of the boys and the fight they showed. Jonathan had an excellent tournament making the final group for the second year in a row, finishing in a tie for third, and making the All-Tournament Team. Every year Jonathan improves from the previous season and I cannot wait to see what he does next year.” 

Keeton also remarked, “It is always a little bittersweet ending the season. This year it was tougher than most due to losing three seniors that have been with me for a long time.  I have enjoyed my time with Owen, Charlie, and Gregory and I cannot wait to see what life has in store for them.”

Submitted Photos: Top- left to right, Ryan Keeton, Owen Fischer, Charlie Peery, Jonathan Deboer, Gregory Grabow and Head Coach Mark Keeton. Middle – All Tournament Team, (third from right Jonathan DeBoer)