Detroit Lakes shoots record-low score in winning Class 2A girls' golf title

Sheer domination.

That's the best way to describe what the Detroit Lakes girls' golf team did to the Class 2A field from the opening drive Tuesday to the final putt Wednesday at Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan.

The Lakers posted an astounding state-record team score of 590 to win the two-day event for the third consecutive year. The previous state tournament record of 610 was set by Minnewaska Area in 2009. The Lakers finished 58 strokes ahead of runner-up Pequot Lakes.

"This is a very special team," Detroit Lakes sophomore Kate Smith said. "Not only are they great golfers, but they are even better people."

For the second consecutive year, Smith shared medalist honors, this time with friend and Pequot Lakes junior Maggie Heggerston. They finished with 1-under-par 143s.

"Every year at state is a little bit different," said Smith, who became a three-time individual champion. She won her first title as an eighth-grader in 2012. "It was more stressful last year."

A year ago, Smith walked off the 18th green after the second round with a disappointed look on her face. She parred the final hole to share medalist honors with teammate Natalie Roth, now a senior. Roth finished fifth Wednesday.

Both Smith and Heggerston closed on a strong note. Smith birdied No. 16 and 18 while Heggerston did likewise on 16 and 17.

"This is kind of overwhelming," Smith said. "Winning both is a pretty good feeling."

Heggerston was still shaking even after signing her scorecard.

"It's always been a dream of mine to win a state championship, but I never thought I would do it,'' Heggerston said. "This is crazy."

So was Detroit Lakes having five golfers finish in the top nine.

"Every week somebody else comes out on top on this team," Smith said. "Every one on this team is so driven and motivated to be successful. It's a remarkable group."

The boys' field was as even as they come. Three players — Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl senior Andrew Sederlund and sophomores Andrew Israelson of Staples-Motley and Carter Haley of Mankato East — shared the individual title with even-par 144s. It was the first three-way tie since 2003.

"Sweet!" Haley said after turning in his scorecard. "This is so cool, and I have two more years to play."

For Sederlund it couldn't have been a more satisfying finish to his career. In 2010 as an eighth-grader, he finished last in the state tournament.

"This is pretty amazing," Sederlund said. "I couldn't have ended my career any better."

"Growing up a golf family makes it easy to play well," Andrew said. "He gives me all the support I need, and is the one who taught me the game."

Providence Academy won the team crown with a 602.

Pequot Lakes junior Megan Snyder recorded a hole-in-one in the girls' tournament. She used a 9-iron to ace the par-3, 101-yard third hole.