Sleepy Eye United coach Crystal Ibberson told Ben Laffen late in his round Wednesday that he needed a birdie on his final hole to win the Class 1A title.
The senior did just that, carding a 3 on a par-4 to win the tournament by one stroke.
Laffen shot a 1-over-par 73 on the round and finished the two-day tournament at even-par 144 at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker. His final round also helped Sleepy Eye United to a share of the team championship with Mounds Park Academy.
"It's something we've definitely worked for this whole year," said Laffen, who has signed with Minnesota State Mankato. "Just seeing that you were the highest on the board with the lowest score, that's very encouraging."
Laffen was even-par on his front nine Wednesday before bogeying three of his first five holes on his back nine. He birdied his 15th hole before scoring back-to-back pars and the birdie to cap his round.
Laffen said he was a little nervous but excited when Ibberson told him he needed a birdie on the final hole. He said he hit the fairway with his drive on the hole before sticking a wedge shot close to the pin and making the putt.
"I just put my head to it and committed to every shot," he said.
Sleepy Eye United and St. Paul-based Mounds Park Academy shared the team title with two-day scores of 641.
