The Brainerd girls golf team earned a fifth-place finish at the Central Lakes Conference meet, held Thursday at Madden’s Pine Beach East Golf Course in East Gull Lake. Despite playing through constant drizzle and soggy conditions, the Warriors posted a team score of 353, narrowly missing the top three by just five strokes.
Top honors went to Detroit Lakes, who dominated the field with a team score of 313. Alexandria came in second with a 320, while Willmar edged Brainerd out for third at 348. The closely packed results highlighted the competitive nature of the meet and Brainerd’s strong potential moving forward.
Key Performances
- Marcella Timmons led Brainerd individually with an 84, finishing 12th overall.
- Meredith Holmstrom followed with an 87, fueled by a late birdie on the 17th.
- Madelyn Holmstrom added a 90, including two birdies in her round.
- Vienna Dean, an eighth grader making her varsity debut, scored a 92 and closed with a birdie on the 18th.
Head coach Karissa Haugen praised Timmons for her mental toughness and consistency, while also highlighting Dean’s promotion to varsity play due to her recent JV success. “She brings great energy and work ethic to the course,” Haugen said.
Looking Ahead
Brainerd’s finish places them within striking distance of their section rivals, setting the stage for an exciting stretch of tournaments. With another meet scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at Eagle Creek Golf Course in Willmar, the Warriors aim to close the gap on Alexandria even further.
“Our biggest goal is to keep shaving down a few shots,” Haugen said. “If we can tighten up down the stretch, we’ll be right where we need to be come section play.”
As momentum builds and postseason implications loom, the Warriors are proving they have both the talent and camaraderie to rise to the challenge. “We’re there for each other, and we’re a family,” Timmons shared. “Once you have that kind of environment, it’s something you want to keep coming back to.”
Read the full article on the Brainerd Dispatch.
