Just last week, Cook County junior Zack Twiest qualified for the state golf tournament. Twiest will compete on June 16 and 17 at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, Minnesota. Twiest will be one of 87 qualifying golfers competing in the Class A state golf tournament.
In the Section 7A Tournament at Giants Ridge earlier last week, only the top five golfers qualified for the state tournament. Twiest shot 86 on the first day and 85 on the second day to take fourth place in the Section with a two day total of 171.
Teammate Kipp Sande finished 23rd as he shot 90 on the first day and then 94 on the second day for a two day total of 184. Sande’s round was 12 strokes off the pace for the state tournament. Teammates Aaron Carlson (192) and Shane Billings (195) finished 28th and 30th respectively for Cook County. After qualifying for the state tournament,
had the chance to sit down with Zack. Here is what he had to say…
When did you first start playing golf?
was two years old when I started swinging clubs in the back yard with my dad. I grew up on Gunflint Hills as
kid and then I also started playing at Superior National Golf Course when the Junior Golf program started.
How long have you been golfing
for Cook County High School?
Since seventh grade.
What is your approach at golf meets?
Are you ever intimidated by really good golfers?
I just tend to focus on my own game. I might try to out drive an opponent at times, but I usually just focus on my game. That tends to keep me focused.
How often do you play golf in the summer?
Every Thursday for Junior League and then every day after I work at Superior National. So, I play approximately three to four rounds per week.
What would you say the strength of your game is?
Probably my iron play. I usually stay out of trouble and that helps out a lot of the shorter holes.
What would your weakness be?
Probably the driver. My driver is the most inconsistent club in my bag right now.
Join the club. Is there a time when
you will just put the driver away?
All the time. My dad keeps giving me that advice and I take it.
All season long it seems that you and Kipp made a good 1-2
punch for Cook County. Is it a little weird being the lone golfer
from Cook County at the state tournament?
It is weird going without someone else from our school. Kipp is always right there. We usually only have a couple of strokes between us.
Is this your best experience on the golf course?
Not really. It is a great opportunity to go to state as a junior. My best experience, however, was at subsections with the group I played with. They were really funny and we had great competition in that round.
Who introduced you to golf?
My dad.
Is your dad a good golfer?
Yes, he is a good golfer. He knows a lot about the sport and has taught me good course etiquette.
If you were taking on your dad in golf,
who should I put my money on?
Let me be modest, I would put my money on me.
Would it be close?
Yes, the round would probably be determined by a couple of strokes either way.
Mitch Dorr, a Cook County High School Class of 1993 graduate, is now a social studies teacher
and coach at his former alma mater. Mitch coaches Vikings football and boys’ basketball.
Leave a Reply