May 20, 2014

Wolves win Region 6 boys golf tourney

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

The Watford City boys golf team won their second Region 6 golf title in a row as the Wolves carded a team score of 340 to earn back-to-back appearances at the State Golf Tournament.
Watford City placed four golfers in the top 10 individually at the tournament, which was held in Kenmare on May 13. Mitchell Liebel led the Wolves as he finished in a tie for second place with an 81, while Jon Dunn finished fourth with a score of 82. Also breaking into the top 10 for the Wolves was Korbin Knutson, tied for fifth, with a score of 85, and Cody Johnson, tied for seventh, with a score of 86.
“I am very proud of my golfers in repeating as Region Champions and making it to State,” states Scott Wisness, Wolves’ head coach. “They set the goal of winning the region at the beginning of the season and accomplished it by putting in a lot of time on the course.”
And repeating as regional champions was truly a team effort, according to Wisness, as the Wolves just edged Kenmare by four strokes to win the title.
“Mitchell ran into some trouble on the ninth hole on his first round, shooting a 48, but came through on his back nine with a 39,” stated Wisness. “And Colter, who is making his fourth trip to State, shot a 44 on his front nine, but ran into some trouble on the back nine.”
But it was the play of some of his other players that Wisness says was key to the win.
“Korbin and Jonathan have really been playing well and came through for us at just the right time,” stated Wisness. “And Cody and Charles also had a good day to help our team score just enough to win the region.”
Rounding out the teams placing behind Watford City and Kenmare was Tioga, 351; Stanley, 368; Lewis & Clark, 369; Divide County, 394; Des Lacs-Burlington, 406; New Town/Parshall, 443; Bowbells, 470; and  Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 465.
The State Class B Boys Golf Tournament will be May 27 and 28 at the Fargo Rose Creek Golf Course.
While Wisness gives Dickinson Trinity the nod as having the best team and has the best chance to repeat as State Champions, he likes Watford City’s chances at State.
“Our goal is to be right up there with teams like Dickinson Trinity, South Heart, Northern Lights, Oak Grove, Park River and Central Cass,” states Wisness. “Our experience will definitely help as Cody, Charles and Jonathan all played at State last year and Colter and Mitchell have played in multiple State tournaments. Plus Korbin, who will be playing in his first state tournament, is playing with a lot of confidence right now.”

WATFORD CITY WEATHER