Saints second trip to state girls golf historic

MASON CITY — When Grace Jahr, who completed an 18-hole round of 113, will take to the Class 1A state golf meet next week in Ames, the St. Ansgar senior will be using the same clubs her aunt used when she golfed at state for the Saints.

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That would be the only other state-qualifying team for the Saints in what coach Shannon Belz wasn’t 100 percent sure, but was around 1996, after the team shot 412 for runner-up behind Algona Garrigan (350).

“My mom and aunt played for St. Ansgar and (my aunt) was on the last state qualifying team,” Jahr said. “I’m using the same clubs as my aunt. They are (old school) — they are good old big Berthas. I stole my mom’s driver, though, but my irons and all are hers (my aunt’s).”

Kirsten Boerjan was third overall, shooting 42-47 – 89. It was a course she much preferred to the hilly regional opening course at Tri-City Golf Club the week before.

“I really liked the condition of the course,” Boerjan said. “The fairways were perfect, really nicely taken care of. My drives worked, I really figured that out. And then, my chips were a little iffy, but my putting pulled it together today. I really liked this course because it was flat compared to the last one (I golfed).”

Taylor Vervaecke shot 105 while going around the course with the overall medalist from Algona Garrigan, who shot 78.

“She really upped my positivity,” Vervaecke said. “I think I did start on the more difficult holes, the back nine. Once I got to the front nine, I knew that it was going to be better. I put that into my head. When things went better, I rolled with it, I guess.”

Brooklyn Hackbart, who has been part of two state basketball teams, gets to experience another in golf.

“It’s crazy,” Hackbart said. “I have the experience of going to state basketball the last couple years and it’s cool to do the same thing in a different sport. I’m with a lot of girls who I usually don’t play sports with other than Kirsten, but it’s been fun so far.”

The difference between qualifying was a total of three strokes as Mason City Newman came in with 412.

“A game of strokes, and it wasn’t many,” Belz said. “A great day. I’m excited to get the hardware hung in the gym and get ready for next week.”

More on this story will be in the May 29 print edition of the Enterprise Journal