June 14, 2007 at 8:41 a.m.
Angrimson ends CL golf career by finishing fifth at state
Angrimson ends CL golf career by finishing fifth at state
Tuesday, Angrimson recorded a 36/36=72 on the par 72, East-West course in Coon Rapids. Wednesday he carded a 38/36=74 for a two-day total of 146 to tie with Gordy Diekman of Alexandria and Steve Bidne from Roseville.
That threesome finished six strokes behind Eagan's Ryan Peterson, who earned the individual title with a 67/73=140. Donald Constable came in second at 143, leading his Minnetonka Skippers to a six stroke win over Forest Lake (605-611) to earn the team championship.
In round one, Angrimson played what Wildcat coach Perry Aadland described as, "Pretty steady golf. He had a one birdie, one three-putt bogey, even par round of golf." The highlight of that Tuesday round, aside from the near perfect conditions, may have come on the third hole of the day.
Number 3 on the East Course is a 150 yard par 3 played to a huge, heavily bunkered double green. The south end of the green is home to the third cup. The north portion of the putting surface is the target for golfers on the 179 yard sixth hole of the North Course.
Angrimson's third tee shot drifted right, cleared a strategically placed tree and buried in a greenside bunker. "Luke was still in the sand after his second shot," Aadland said. "He hit his third shot and was already reaching for the rake when the ball rolled into the hole."
Day two started with beautiful weather as well. The temperature was cool, but climbing. The southwest breeze was just enough to discourage most insects.
Angrimson, teeing off first on the 415 yard #1, hit a towering drive that came to rest in the left side of the fairway 114 yards from the flagstick. His approach settled eight feet left of the pin. When his turn arrived, he took his stance and calmly putted it in for a birdie.
The next two holes were not as kind. Angrimson's tee shot flew right, behind some pine trees. He was forced to hit his second over a tree to the middle of the fairway. His third shot was right at the stick, about 25 feet past the hole. His par putt skirted the hole on the left side and he tapped in for bogie.
Note: All four golfers missed their putts to the same side. Some times golf balls don't do what they're supposed to.
Golf courses have a way of getting even with players. The day before, Angrimson holed out from the right greenside bunker on number 3. Wednesday, his tee shot landed in the left bunker. He hit his sand wedge to within about 12 feet of the pin. His putt slid left of the cup and came to rest about 30 inches past the hole. His comebacker turned sharply to the left and he had to settle for a five. It was his only double-bogey of the tournament.
He got one stoke back on the 464 yard, par five number 4. His 10 foot eagle putt broke left and he settled for a birdie. On number five, a 371 yard par 4, the Wildcat senior hit his wedge to the left fringe. His 40 foot uphill putt was short and he needed two more to hole out. The bogey moved him back to two over.
Angrimson recorded routine pars on the sixth and seventh holes. He pushed his drive to the right rough into a now strong and gusty southwest wind, but recovered nicely for a third straight par on eight. On number 9, his second shot was short right. He hit a very nice pitch over a large greenside bunker to a green that sloped away from him. It stopped eight feet past the hole and he drained the putt to save par.
After the East nine, Angrimson was two over par for the day... and the tournament.
The wind continued and the skies turned threatening as the foursome headed for the West nine. But, save for a few stray drops, the rain stayed away. Despite the deteriorating conditions, Angrimson played par golf through the back nine. He carded five more pars, two birdies and two bogeys.
After pars on the 10th and 11th holes, Angrimson's tee shot landed in a huge bunker in front of #12. As he had on Tuesday, he holed out of the bunker. "He knew it when he hit it as he had his club raised as it ran into the cup," coach Aadland commented.
"Numbers 15 and 16 played down wind and Luke hit tee shots in the 320 to 340 yard range," Aadland continued. "I heard one of the parents from Park (of Cottage Grove) say, 'That Chisago Lakes kid will probably hit it 350 on this hole.'"
Angrimson's best shot of the day may have come on the par 3, 229 yard 17th. "The tee shot was directly into a very strong wind. Luke pondered his club choice and settled on his driver off the tee. He hit a laser to the back of the green. He made an extremely difficult, down hill 22 foot put for birdie.
"He finished off with a bogie on 18, which also played into the wind. He misjudged his second shot as he hit it over the green. He hit a great chip, but as it was down hill, it rolled about 10 feet past the hole. His par putt just curled the lip of the cup," Aadland concluded.
The State Tournament medal was a fitting end to an exceptional season for Angrimson. In mid May he earned medalist honors at the season-ending North Suburban Conference 18 hole event and, in the process, secured a place on the All-Conference squad. He also led a very talented Wildcat team to the conference team championship. Congratulations to Luke, his Wildcat teammates and coach Aadland.
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