The Cook County golf team has had a very busy spring, competing in six events during the past three weeks. Jake Sivertson and Kipp Sande have been a consistent “onetwo” punch for the Vikings’ boys’ team while Erica Borson and Tara Austin have continued to improve for the girls.
On April 30, the girls’ team traveled to Giants Ridge to play “The Quarry” course in the Northern Invite. It would be the most difficult
course the girls had faced all season. Erica Borson played in her second round of the year and played very well on a most challenging course. Borson shot 144 for the 18 holes and according to Coach Scott Steinbach, “She hit some great shots along the way and has really improved.”
The Northern Invite continued on May 1 and 2 for the boys’ team. Theboys played in harsh conditions that consisted of strong winds, cold temperatures, and even snow. The Vikings finished in 20th place out of the 26 participating teams.
Cook County was led by Kipp Sande who shot a 185 (93,92) for the 36-hole event. Jake Sivertson shot a 196 (103,93), Luke Fenwick 212 (105,107), Brock Hommerding 219 (112,107), Shane Billings 225 (112,113), and Max Simonowicz shot 286 (167,119).
On Tuesday May 5, the Vikings traveled to Northland Country Club to face Duluth East. The day started out nice, but hail and thunderstorms cut the day short with golfers only being able to post nine hole scores. Jake Sivertson shot the low round for Cook County with a 41. Kipp Sande was three strokes off that pace with a 44. Other scores for the Vikings were Zack Twiest (47), Luke Fenwick (49), Brock Hommerding (51), and Shane Billings (52). Erica Borson was the only girl competing for the Vikings. She shot 66 on the day.
A week later, the Vikings welcomed Duluth East to their home course of Superior National at Lutsen. The Vikings played with more confidence on their home course. Duluth East still outshot the Vikings but Cook County showed a lot of improvement.
Erica Borson shot a personal best 18-hole score of 120. Theboys were led by Jake Sivertson and Kipp Sande who both shot 86. Zack Twiest was one stroke off that pace with an excellent score of 87. Rounding out the scoring for the Vikings were Shane Billings (99), Luke Fenwick and Brock Hommerding (106), and Max Simoniwicz (108). The boys had their best team score of the season with a 358.
On Wednesday May 13, the Vikings competed in the second day of the Polar League Championships in Two Harbors. After the first round earlier in April, the Vikings entered the day trailing Esko-Carlton by 21 strokes. Jake Sivertson shot the low round of the day with an outstanding 79. Kipp Sande finished second with an 83. While the Vikings hoped to cut into Esko-Carlton’s lead, they ended up dropping three more strokes on the day, but they were now in second place. Cook County’s other finishers were Zack Twiest (93) and Shane Billings (109).
Erica Borson, the lone competing girl for the Vikings, continued her improvement with a solid round of 59.
Two days later the Vikings were back on their home course against the Two Harbors Agates. On a cold and blustery day, the Vikings pulled out a onestroke win against their Polar League opponent.
Junior Kipp Sande shot the low score of the day with an 85. Jake Sivertson tied for second overall with an 87. Cook County’s other finishers were Zack Twiest (93), Shane Billings (95), Luke Fenwick (103), Brock Hommerding (104), Will Hellner (114), David Hansen (133), Sterling Anderson (142), and Alex Ditmanson (60 for nine holes). Tara Austin played in her second tournament of the spring and shot an 80 for nine holes.
On Tuesday May 19, Erica Borson competed in the Section 7AA Girls tournament after this edition went to press. On Wednesday, the Vikings competed in the final day of the Polar League Conference Championship at Superior National in Lutsen. On Thursday, the Vikings boys then traveled to the Section 7AA Boys golf tournament. Look in next week’s edition for all the scores and highlights.
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