By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
As a freshman last year, Merrill’s Russell Dettmering narrowly missed a state tournament appearance, losing in a tiebreaker playoff at the sectional meet. This year, Dettmering wouldn’t be denied the trip to state, this time taking a solid fifth place sectional finish Tuesday at the Stevens Point Country Club.
Again, Dettmering ended his day at sectionals with a tiebreaker. After 18 holes, Dettmering was tied at 75 with D.C. Everest’s Ben Peloquin. This time around, Dettmering would prevail, beating Peloquin on the fourth playoff hole to finish as 5th medalist.
The top three sectional scorers, outside of the two qualifying teams, qualify for state in Madison next week. The top two teams qualifying were Eau Claire Memorial with a team score of 296, and River Falls with a score of 315. Outside of the players on those teams, three individuals qualified for state. Evan Thomas posted a two under score of 70 to earn medalist honors followed by three over par scores from Dettmering and Peloquin to earn the final two individual qualifier spots.
“So far, Russell has accomplished his season goals,” comments Merrill golf coach Joe Mertens, “conference medalist, and now state qualifier. Russell is ready to compete at that level. He has the power game when needed and the finesse game around the greens to score with. Managing an unfamiliar course for the first time and being accurate in his iron distances into the pins will be key to Russell’s success.”
The State tournament will be held Monday and Tuesday, June 4-5, at University Ridge in Madison. Dettmering will be competing in the Division 1 tournament, with the tee time on Monday being at 7 a.m. and the Tuesday tee time at noon.