WILLMAR - The Willmar Cardinals failed to take advantage of their home field on Monday.
Though they shot a season-best 313, Alexandria leapfrogged the host team on the lushly green fairways at Eagle Creek Golf Course.
Willmar fell back into third place in the tightly-packed race with three of four meets complete. The Cardinals entered their only home show tied with St. Cloud Tech for first place.
Going into the CLC finale next Tuesday at Wapicada in Sauk Rapids, Willmar trails first-place Tech and Alex (tied with 21 points) by two points. Fergus Falls is fourth with 20.
“I was hoping for a little bit stronger showing today,” said Willmar coach Dave Ellwood. “But anything can happen next week with it so close.”
Willmar is chasing its first CLC team title since 1996, Ellwood’s first year as head coach.
Cody Magnuson, playing in the six spot, shot 76 for Willmar’s low score. Zech Streed followed with 78 after opening with a 1-under 35 of the front made more difficult by winds from the southwest. After that came Levi Hauser, who had a tough front, but recovered nicely on the back (35) for a 79, then Hunter Schneider at 80. Tony Kallevig and Hunter Mottinger, who went out in the No. 1- and 2 threesomes, respectively, never could find a grove and both came in 84.
Medalist was Nick Brunell of Alexandria with a 2-under 70.
This week, Ellwood will take a team to The Territory Golf Club (St. Cloud) on Wednesday but a different lineup on Thursday to Alexandria, both invites.
Team scoring
(1) Alexandria 305 (2) St. Cloud Tech 308 (3) Fergus Falls 311 (4) Willmar 313 (5) Sartell 333 (6) Rocori 334 (7) Brainerd 335 (8) St. Cloud Apollo 362 (9) Sauk Rapids 366
Individual
TOP THREE – Nick Brundell, Alx, 70; Thomas Stoxen, Brd, 74; Cody Magnuson, Wil, 76; Lukas Bigger, Alx, 76; Cris Swensen, FF, 76; Ian Hiltner, Tec, 76; Mitch Freeman, Tec, 76; David Scharenbroich, Tec, 76
Willmar results
Magnuson 37-39-76; Zech Streed 35-43-78, Levi Hauser 45-35-79; Hunter Schneider 40-40-80; Tony Kallevig 42-42-84; Hunter Mottinger 44-40-84
CONFERENCE STANDINGS (after 3 of 4 meets): (1) tie, St. Cloud Tech, Alexandria, both 23 (3) Willmar 21 (4) Fergus Falls 20 (5) Sartell 15 (6) Rocori 12 (7) Brainerd 11 (8) Sauk Rapids 6 (9) Apollo 4
