Blaine, Edina golfers lead in 3A golf tournament

Caleb VanArragon doesn't consider his 3-under 69 on Tuesday among his best rounds, even if it gave him the the first-round lead in the Class 3A boys' golf state tournament at Bunker Hills

But when you consider the Blaine sophomore played the final four holes without a driver, which had become loose, it's still impressive.

"I wasn't really able to focus on the target," VanArragon said, "because I was worried that the driver's head was going to fall off."

At his 14th hole, as he was about to tee off near a pond, he noticed he could spin the driver's head completely around. He used his three wood after that and finished two strokes ahead of three players tied for second — Wayzata's Ben Frazzini, Mankato East's Carson Haley and Minnetonka's Jacob Pedersen.

Defending champion Ben Sigel of Minnetonka, named winner of the Minnesota Mr. Golf Award as the state's top senior, shot a 72, three shots from the lead. The Skippers lead the team race by four shots over Wayzata.

Earlier this year, VanArragon shot 9-under 63 at TPC Twin Cities. He said he felt similar Tuesday to the day he posted that score, but wind during the middle of the round and an overall tighter course than at TPC pushed him to a higher score.

Before Tuesday, he said, his lowest score at Bunker Hills was 71. He'll look to go even lower Wednesday — this time with a usable driver.

Kim missed a two-foot putt on her ninth hole of the day. It's the sort of shot, she said, that "really shakes your mental game."

But then she thought of Ann Dickey, one of Edina's assistant coaches, who Kim said is battling cancer. Kim called Dickey one of the nicest people she knows.

"Just thinking about what she's gone through and me missing a two-footer — the scale is totally different," Kim said.

She rebounded to give Edina a 16-shot lead over Red Wing heading into the final round Wednesday. The Hornets are seeking a third consecutive team title.

The boys' field tore up the Ridges at Sand Creek course in Jordan during a humid first round of play.

Two-time defending state team champion Blake holds a two-stroke lead over Detroit Lakes after registering a 292. Holy Family is third at 295.

In the girls' tournament, Minnewaska Area's Ashlyn Guggisberg shot a 1-over 73 to take a two-shot lead over Visitation senior Anni Heck. Guggisberg finished 12th a year ago while Heck shared medalist honors.

Lake City leads the team event with a 332, five strokes ahead of Detroit Lakes.

Blooming Prairie senior Tommy Braaten shot a 4-under-par 68 to open up a four-shot cushion heading into the final round of the boys' tournament.

Mahnomen/Waubun shot a 316 to take a 14-stroke lead over Sleepy Eye United in the race for the team title.