Last season, Osseo's Dalton Charboneau just missed a second consecutive appearance in the Class 3A state boys' golf tournament. He returned this season with straighter shots and a sharper focus.

The two-day Section 5 tournament takes place this week and Charboneau, a junior who enjoyed success throughout the season, is among the favorites to remain near the top of the leader board.

"It was a setback last year to not make the state tournament again," said Orioles coach Tim Theisen. "But he turned that into motivation and really put a lot of work into his golf game."

The payoff has come is many areas. Though not long, Charboneau is precise off the tee. He follows up with a solid mid-range game and improved putting. Charboneau spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about his team, which performed well in the North Suburban Conference, and his return to state-caliber form.

Q Osseo is challenging for the conference title. Is this the type of season you expected or is this a pleasant surprise?

A I'd say it's a pleasant surprise. At the beginning of the year I thought we were going to be pretty good. But over the summer, Ross Miller really progressed. He's been taking lessons and really helped himself. Tyler Loomer played a lot of competitive golf tournaments. And I've been taking lessons, also, with Adam Guili from Edinburgh USA. So we're all competitive at the same level. It's gives us an edge.

Q Talk about some of your better matches this spring.

A Our first match at Northfork I shot 1-under and took second to [Elk River's] Chase Hahne. Actually, my first three events I took second place. Then I starting shooting upper-70s for a few matches and I wanted to go lower because I knew I had to if I wanted to win. Then we recently played Elk River and I put up a 74 and took first.

Q Some days things go well on the course but have you needed to grind out a few holes?

A Oh yeah. At Bunker Hills I played the first 9 holes pretty well. But then going into my last hole I was 5-over so I knew I had to make a birdie to make a 76. The whole day I wasn't hitting fairways and I was punching out and hoping to make par. So that final hole I felt I had to step up and I ended up making an eagle and it gave me a lot of confidence.

Q Coach Theisen describes you as not very long off the tee but accurate with your irons and putting. Is that how you would describe yourself?

A Yeah, most of the competitors I play against hit 10 to 20 yards past me off the tee. But my goal is to be consistently in the fairway from about a 7-iron in. And my short game this year has improved.

Q You went to state as a freshman but you didn't make the cut as a sophomore last spring. How have you tried to battle back mentally to make sure this season ends the way you want it to end?

A In ninth grade, I played well, shot a 75 and went to state. So I thought, 'All right, I should really do this next year.' But last year at sections I came in with a 76 and missed the playoff by one stroke. That really brought me down. But I played in some summer events and that helped keep my mental game strong. And I've been taking lessons all winter and now I feel like my swing is a lot more consistent.

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574