BRAINERD — For the first time in six years the Brainerd Warriors roster will not feature a boy named Erik Stoxen.
The graduate finished his career in style with a top 15 finish at the Class 3A State Tournament.
But Stoxen’s leadership will be missed. Hoping to fill that void are returning senior Turner Person and juniors Max Holmstrom and Dawson Ringler.
“It’s definitely something where we’re already missing his presence and we’ll miss his scores on the golf course,” Warriors head coach Brian Wallace said about Stoxen. “He was just rock solid. It’s going to be a hole for our team.”
Person was Brainerd’s No. 4 scorer at the Section 8-3A meet, where they finished third. He fired rounds of 76-89 for a two-day 165.
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“Turner, being a senior, needs to step up and take on that leadership role, but we also need him to be a solid top scorer for our team,” Wallace said. “I think he’s ready for it. I think he’s matured a lot over the last two or three years. I think he’s up to the challenge.”
Holmstrom shot rounds of 87-83 for a 170 that placed him 33rd at sections.
“Max is our most powerful golfer,” Wallace said. “It’s yet to be seen if he has control of that power and I’m really hoping he does because that can really turn into some great scores. He’s got one of the fastest swing speeds of any kid I’ve ever had. He’s big and strong and he just needs to control that strength.
“He also needs to figure out how to not get down on himself so hard. Of all the kids, he’s probably the hardest on himself. You get over that hump, I think, he’ll be really good as well.”
One place behind Holmstrom was Ringler who shot a 171 with rounds of 85-86.
“I think with his level of skill it’s just about being confident and trusting his game and not getting down on himself,” Wallace said. “He’s got all the tools and he scored really well to start the year and kind of went backward a bit as the season went on. But he’s worked hard on his game and has spent a lot of time on it. I think that will pay off for him this year.”
I told the boys on the first day that our goal ultimately is to make it to the next level.
Brian Wallace
Ryan Kennedy did see varsity time last season and the hope is the sophomore can fill one of the three open spots on the Warriors’ roster.
“Ryan, as a ninth-grader, got some varsity experience because of the circumstances of who we had available,” Wallace said. “He also got a chance because of his competitiveness and he is the kind of kid who just uses his natural athletic ability and gets around the golf course. He’s not real flashy, he just works hard. Having some experience from last year will pay great dividends for him this year. We’re looking for him to step right up and be part of the team.”
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Keegan Davidge, a junior, has been on the doorstep of making the varsity roster and Wallace has seen his game grow over the last few years. Logan Carlson is a senior who has never played high school golf before, but has golf experience. Wallace is hoping he can be a surprise rookie, but he hasn’t seen him on a golf course yet. Lance Zemke, another senior, lacks varsity experience, but Wallace said the door is open for anyone who shows promise.
“We have a lot of kids and from what we’ve seen so far we have a lot of really good swings, but whether or not those good swings translate to good scores has yet to be seen,” Wallace said. “We have a lot of kids who we haven’t had on the team before. There are so many unknowns. With the swings that we have seen down at the Lower Site there are some really solid-looking swings, but who knows how that is going to translate onto the golf course.”
When the Warriors actually start their season is a weather mystery. When the team can actually get out on a golf course is another problem. Until the snow melts the team has been holding team meetings to talk about rules and golf etiquette. They’ve been down to the Lower Site, next to the high school twice and hit real balls.
“We’re also using the Riverside Elementary gym, but that’s hitting a fake ball off of fake grass,” Wallace said. “We’re also practicing our putting. That’s worth the time.”
Brainerd does have a full schedule after having a condensed schedule last season. Back on the schedule is the Blaine Invite. This year it will be a two-day event at Majestic Oaks Golf Course.
The Pequot Lakes Invite moves to The Pines at Grand View, while Brainerd brings back its 24-team Invite to Cragun’s Legacy Courses.
“I told the boys on the first day that our goal ultimately is to make it to the next level,” Wallace said. “We’ve never been able to accomplish that before. They are capable. We have enough good players to reach that next level and it just comes down to confidence. If we have the moxie at the end of the season we can take it to the next level. The regular season is basically just practice for that final meet. It all builds to that.”
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at 218-855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.
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Head coach: Brian Wallace, 21st year
2019 finish: Third in Section 8-3A
Returning section players: Turner Person, Max Holmstrom, Dawson Ringler
Assistant coach: Brian Gustafson
Captains: Turner Person, Dawson Ringler
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Warrior roster
Seniors: Bernat Bellsola, Lance Zemke, Logan Carlson, Turner Person, Zach Schaeffer
Juniors: Dawson Ringler, Keegan Davidge, Max Holmstrom
Sophomores: Alex Asche, Alex McFarlin, Brady Rushin, Bryan Schaitberger, Evan Shogren, Marty Timmons, Peter Yeager, Ryan Gerlich, Ryan Kennedy, Ryan Madsen, Sebastian Hopkins, William Larson
Freshmen: Henry Hartwig, Riley Lingl, Trey Hendrickson, Tyler Lehmann
Eighth grader: Drew Haakonson
Warrior schedule
Monday, April 18: CLC meat at Rich Springs 3:30 p.m.
April 21: Pequot Lakes Invite at The Pines at Grand View 11 a.m.
April 25: CLC meet at Pebble Lake 3:30 p.m.
April 28: CLC meet at St. Cloud Country Club 3:30 p.m.
May 2: CLC meet at Territory Golf Club 4 p.m.
May 6: Blaine Invite at Majestic Oaks 1:30 p.m.
May 7: Blaine Invite at Majestic Oaks 7:30 a.m.
May 9: CLC meet at Cragun’s Legacy Courses 4 p.m.
May 13: Presection 8-3A at Headwaters Golf Course 10 a.m.
May 16: CLC Championship at Eagle Creek Golf Course 4 p.m.
May 23: CLC Championship at Blackberry Ridge 4 p.m.
May 25: Warrior Invite at Cragun’s Legacy Courses 10 a.m.
June 2; Section 8-3A First round at Headwaters 9 a.m.
June 3: Section 8-3A Final at Headwaters 9 a.m.
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