The Mitchell High School boys golf team is poised to compete for a state title at the Class AA championship, set to commence on October 6, 2023, at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Rapid City. The Kernels have demonstrated impressive form leading up to the tournament, with players expressing confidence in their abilities to challenge for both individual and team honors.
Team Preparedness and Performance
In recent weeks, the Kernels have played some of their best golf of the year, establishing a strong six-man roster that includes a veteran trio. Junior Asher Dannenbring stated, “We like where our games are at, and we think we can compete with anybody out there. If we just keep the morale up, we’ll have a good shot.” This optimism is backed by the team’s record-breaking score of 291 at their home invitational on September 19, which set a new school benchmark.
Coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt noted that the team has been competitive throughout the season, having recently recorded a second-best team score of 294 on the same course during a tournament on August 19. “I think we’re feeling pretty good right now. We were playing our best right before ESD and have been competitive all year,” Kreutzfeldt commented.
During that tournament in August, Dannenbring and teammate Carter McCormick both achieved rounds of 69, finishing narrowly behind the leaders. The team’s additional top scores came from players Everett Morrison and Dawson Adams, who registered 76 and 80 respectively. Dannenbring emphasized the importance of their past experiences in high-pressure situations, saying, “Being comfortable and knowing you can go low, it definitely helps the confidence.”
Weather and Course Conditions
Kreutzfeldt anticipates that the conditions at Meadowbrook will be more challenging compared to their earlier outing. He described the previous greens and pin placements as “average” but expects tougher layouts this time around. According to Kreutzfeldt, it may take a two-day score of at least 6-under-par to secure the individual title, while a team score of 295 or lower could be necessary for contention, provided the weather cooperates. However, rain is forecasted from Saturday through Monday, with daytime temperatures expected to range between the 50s and 60s degrees Fahrenheit.
The Kernels’ top three players all have season-best scores of 69 and are aiming for top positions in the all-state rankings. Each member of the top six in the lineup has achieved rounds of 80 or better this season, providing a strong foundation for a competitive showing. “In terms of 1-through-6, for sure in the past couple of years, this is the deepest we’ve been,” Kreutzfeldt remarked. “That’s been a huge boost for us.”
Throughout their last four tournaments, Mitchell has maintained a team average below 301, a significant improvement from their earlier average of 310. The team has recorded three sub-300 rounds this season, along with four more rounds under 307. Last year, the Kernels, relying on the same core of Dannenbring, McCormick, and Morrison, finished in eighth place at the state tournament. This time, the 2023 Kernels are aiming much higher.
Kreutzfeldt remains optimistic about the potential for success, stating, “If we play our absolute best, we could win it, but we would have to play our absolute best. I would push for being in the top three, but anything in the top five, I think you can say that’s a good tournament.” As the Kernels prepare to tee off, they carry with them the hopes of their school and community, eager to make their mark on the state championship.