Cardinal golf coach Glen Hasselberg has often said, “You can’t win a golf tournament on the first day, but you can lose one.”

H e ’ s

H e ’ s been correct with that statement most of his coaching career, but this past week he may have come close to being corrected

Zach Israelson of Staples Motley wound up in third place in the Class AA State Golf Tournament.

Zach shot a 71 on Wednesday in the tournament’s first day and was in third place.

He finished on Thursday exactly where he entered it - two strokes back from the leader with a 71 to show for his performance during the Class AA State Golf Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday, Israelson was on the 16th tee when play was suspended because of the weather with only Wednesday’s performance being counted official. His 16-hole score wasn’t counted.

Zach Israelson of Staples Motley (pictured above at hole nine on day one of the Class AA State Golf Tournament) ended up placing third in state. Pictured at left is Cardinal Emily Israelson at hole 14 on day one of the state tournament, held June 15 - 17 at Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan. Pictured with Emily is her coach, Bill Israelson. This is the first year the Minnesota State High School League allowed coaching on the course. (Submitted photos) Hasselberg said Thursday

that Israelson seemed

happy with his standing. “He played well on Wednesday,”

he said.

Teammates Michael Strain and Nick Forsberg were on the 18th fairway and 17th tee respectively when play was called on account of the weather, leaving them tied for 34th with 78’s.

While a few teams and players had finished all 18 holes when the tournament was called, there were still players teeing off on the 10th hole.

Meanwhile play was concluded in the Class AA girls tournament before the weather turned sour.

Cardinal Kelly Hagenson recorded an 84, seven strokes behind medalist Allie Ostrander of Minnewaska of Glenwood on the second day of the tournament, also at the Ridges at Sand Creek on Thursday.

Hagenson’s 84 improved from her first day performance by seven strokes, the largest improvement by any of the top 30 players. She finished 27th overall with a two-day total of 175.

Teammate Emily Israelson finished with 92 strokes on the second day after shooting 86 on day one for a tournament total of 178 and 32nd place.

Golf results

Boys

Class AA Team Scores: 1. Orono 292, 2. Rochester Lourdes 304, 3. Virginia 305, 4. Academy of Holy Angels 312, 5. Detroit Lakes 315

Staples Motley: 3. Zach Israelson 71, 34. Michael Strain 78, Nick Forsberg 78

Girls

Team Scores: 1. Minnewaska 327, 2. Red Wing 328, 3. Detroit Lakes 373, 4. Albany 375, 5. Hermantown 384

Staples Motley: 27. Kelly Hagenson 91-84 - 175, 32. Emily Israelson 86-92 - 178.