A boys and girls assistant golf coach from Hermantown, Minn., seeking to help his athletes drown their sorrows of a close defeat for the boys in the state tournament, staged for them and participated in a late-night beer and wine cooler party at a Shakopee hotel, according to charges filed Friday.

Kyle G. Ernst, 26, was charged by summons in Scott County District Court with two gross misdemeanors in connection with providing liquor to minors.

The boys and girls state tournaments were held this week at the Ridges at Sand Creek golf course in Jordan. On Wednesday, the Hermantown boys finished one stroke behind Detroit Lakes for the Class 2A team title.

Hermantown school athletics director Beth Clark declined via email to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Ernst did not return calls.

According to the complaint:

Sometime after 3 a.m. Thursday, a police officer knocked on the door of a Country Inn and Suites room that three female golfers were sharing. Ernst, appearing nervous and shaking, came out quickly and shut the door.

The assistant coach told the officer that many team members were upset about the close loss and admitted buying the booze for them, according to the charges. He also admitted being with the athletes for several hours and drinking beer with some of them, the charges continued.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482