Coach Claudia Pilot likes the where her Austin boys’ golf team is headed, despite the team’s second loss to open the season, a 310 to 311 defeat against Mankato East on Monday at the Austin Country Club.

Tuesday, April 18, 2000

Coach Claudia Pilot likes the where her Austin boys’ golf team is headed, despite the team’s second loss to open the season, a 310 to 311 defeat against Mankato East on Monday at the Austin Country Club.

"I’m very pleased with the depth we have right now," said Pilot, who noted that between varsity and junior varsity 10 scores were between 77 and 82.

But East was able to counter behind A.J. Hoffman, who shot a 71 to earn medalist honors.

Austin’s Chris Larson and Greg Williamson each shot Austin’s lowest score, a 77.

"We need someone to turn in a low score," Pilot said, "like East did."

Hoffman was the state’s junior player of the year in 1999, and "is a great player," said Pilot.

Filing in behind Larson and Williamson for Austin were Adam Plotts (78) and Jeff Clark (79).

Joey Mohrfeld’s (80) and David Lorenzen’s (84) scores were not among the team’s top four and therefore do not count in the team score.

Pilot, who has high hopes for her Packers, said now is the time for her team (0-2) to buckle down.

"It’s disappointing to lose at home, where we are very tough," she said. "Now we have to work harder the rest of the season and win the rest of our conference matches."

Austin heads to the Twin Cities on Friday and Saturday for the Tri-State Invitational. There, Austin will get a shot to see how they measure up against some of the best teams in the state.

Austin’s JV did beat East, 315 to 363. Brian Duren, Matt Engelhardt and Andy Erichson shot low-round 78s.

Cole Berhow (81), Eric Wagner (82) and Jamie Knutson (85) rounded out Austin’s scores.

GMS boys’ golf gains win

The Grand Meadow/Southland boys’ golf team captured a 166 to 180 win over Fillmore Central at the Cedar River Country Club on Monday.

GMS golfer Jeff Thalberg earned medalist honors with a nine-hole 36.

Dustin Wiste (42), Gary Kiefer (43) and Caleb Stroup (45) rounded out the GMS scoring.

GMS (1-1) plays again today, hosting Kasson-Mantorville.

Lyle/Pacelli boys edged

The Rushford-Peterson boys beat Lyle/Pacelli by 10 strokes at Ramsey Golf Course Monday, 168 to 178.

Troy Grover of R-P was the medalist shooting a 38.

Seth Pfeil shot a 40, Matt Row and Brandon Johnson each shot 45s, and eighth-grader Shawn Pfeil shot a 48.

"Seth shot a nice round of golf," L/P coach Mark Buntje said. "He birdied the second hole."

L/P is at Glenville-Emmons on Thursday. Tee time is 3 p.m.