---

For many, just to make it to state would be enough, but not for Erik Helgerson. After finishing 71st at last week’s State Golf Meet at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, you couldn’t help but to notice the disappointment.

“I expected myself to do fairly well, I wanted to go in and do well,” said Helgerson. “I kind of struggled a little bit off the tee and my short game struggled as well, I couldn’t make any putts.”

Helgerson found himself playing catch-up from the very beginning. Last Tuesday, the senior started off his opening round by bogeying three of his first five holes, leading to a seven over 43 on the front nine. Things didn’t get any better on the back as Helgerson finished his round with four more bogeys and one double bogey, leaving him tied for 75th with a first round 86.

“I was a little bit nervous, just really anxious to get out there,” remarked Helgerson. “I was looking forward to playing with some of the best players from around the state but I couldn’t get into a groove. I started out with a bunch of bogeys and it affected the way I finished the round.”

Although things went smoother for Helgerson in day two, the senior was once again plagued with a rough start. Teeing off Wednesday morning, Helgerson opened up with a bogey before coming back to par the next four holes, leading to a two over 38 through nine holes.

Unfortunately, the back nine once again proved to be the difference. A double bogey on 10 followed by a bogey on 11 quickly put Helgerson five strokes over. After parring the last four holes, Helgerson finished the second round with an 80, seven shots over par, putting him 71st overall with a two day score of 166.

“I made a lot of mistakes that I don’t normally make,” commented Helgerson. “I lost a lot of confidence throughout the meet and that affected my play. Definitely, I was happy to make it there but I wanted to do better.”

Three players finished tied for first with a two day score of 144. Benilde-St. Margaret’s won the team title, seven strokes ahead of Owatonna.

State Class “AA” Golf Meet

Team Results:

1) Benilde-St. Margaret’s 604

2) Owatonna 611

3) Elk River 616

4) Grand Rapids 619

5) Hastings 625

6) Bloomington Jeff. 630

7) Willmar 633

8) Moorhead 647

Individual Results (Top 5)

1) Clint Cornell (GR) 144

Eric Nystedt (Woodbury) 144

Luke Gaskins (B-SM) 144

4) Clayton Rask (ER) 145

5) Josh Segal (Sibley) 146

T71) Erik Helgerson 166

---