June 20, 2010 - Wrap Up

Over the course of two days of team golf at the state tournament 612 shots were accounted for by the Royals. Every one counts the same. Sometimes knowing the subleties of golf's insane rules can save a stroke or two along the way.

Corey Muenzhuber hit his tee shot into the water hazard on day one on 7 West. The hill next to the water is pretty steep and the turf conditions very inconsistent. According to the rules, Corey was assessed a one stroke penalty for hitting into the water and he needed to "drop" the ball within a certain proximity of where it entered. The goal was to give himself the best chance of hitting to the green from a difficult position 175 yards away.

He spotted a very small, green patch of grass and, knowing the rules, realized if he dropped the ball onto that spot and it rolled, he would get to drop again. If it rolled again, he would get to place it just how he wanted and give himself the best lie possible. And that is just what he did.

His resulting approach shot found the green and he made the putt to save par. The story of his good decision and good fortune was part of the team post-round chatter on an otherwise disappointing day for the Royals; although, Corey shot a well-earned 75. Little did they know at the time his experience would produce further dividends.

Jordan Rykal's tee shot on day two and on seven West was his sixteenth of the day. It also found the water as Corey's did the day before. The Royals were on life support at the time and a top three finish was in jeopardy. As he contemplated his drop options he remembered Corey's story from the previous day. There was only one small, good patch of green grass in the surrounding area along the pond - and it had a recent divot taken out of it. "It had to be the same spot Corey hit from", he thought to himself.

He duplicated the drop exactly as Corey had done. Not only that, he hit the green and also saved par! Others can attest to the difficultly in doing that. The two drop decisions and resulting par saves were critical as the Royals margin over third place Elk River was two shots.

Derek played some solid golf with the irons during the tourney but just could not get those birdie putts to drop either day.When the putter is not rolling the ball very well it is difficult to maintain the rest of the game. But Derek held it togther nicely. How many shots did his determined focus save?

Coach Bursheim put the tourney and the year in perspective, "It is true that we did not reach the set goal of winning the state tournament but this was a chapter in a much bigger story that we are all living together and separately. Early in the year and several times since, I asked the boys if our season would be a failure if we did anything other than winning the state. Although some said yes initially and maybe still do, I stated that the journey is where we find the happiness in the little successes and in the process of getting better. In my eyes, this was the most enjoyable and successful season in my 17 years of coaching. I viewed it as maybe my "once in a career" team that I measure all others by. Sure 5 of 6 are back but in reality, they will all be new; they will bring new experiences on and off the course, and will be new physically and mentally from another year of growth. I may find another team like that next year or maybe in another 10 years or maybe never again. For now, I will reflect on the year as one that I could enjoy and appreciate while it was all unfolding.

I can't thank the parents, players, Fox Hollow, and supporters enough for all that you have done to make my job very easy and enjoyable. To find a job that doesn't seem like a job is a pretty cool thing."

Nuff said.

June 16, 2010 - Results

A late birdie barrage propelled the Royals to second place in their first state tournament appearance. Wayzata backed up their strong first round and never gave it's pursuers the opening they needed.

The Royals seemed destined to their second straight below average performance on Day Two. Other than McCabe Buege's even par 36 on his opening nine, all other Rogers golfers posted scores of 40 or higher. Everyone had been struggling on the Bunker Hills West nine during the tournament (only nine of 256 rounds below par) but these current scores came on the East. The Royals had lost their Day One lead over Elk River and Moorhead by the clubhouse turn and were quickly fading from medal contention.

High expectations and a healthy confidence carried the team into their first state tournament experience but those were dashed by less than stellar performances across the board. Mac and Corey did post respectable first round 75's. This was Corey's second straight state appearance and the experience served him well. Mac, on the otherhand, was trying to figure out why the new putter that had performed admirably during the practice rounds suddenly seemed like enemy number one.

Colton and Jordan both carded 80's and both struggled from the start - on the West Nine. Morgan gained valuable tournament experience as the youngest member of the squad and shot 83. Derek's first round 79 helped Rogers to a 309. Unfortunately, Colton started the day with back spasms, struggled with consistent ball striking leading to two very damaging tee shots which resulted in a double bogey-triple bogey on back-to-back holes. He wasn't the only one that had a similar two-hole stretch. Derek's round included back-to-back triples. Day Two was going to have to be something special and they were going to have to get a lot of help from Wayzata which led after day one by thirteen shots.

But, like was said earlier, not only did the Royals not improve their play, they were headed in the other direction. Yet almost every Royal golfer improved their score on the back (West) nine, two of them shot under par. Rask improved by seven shots, Rykal three, Muenzhuber two, Mac two, and Colton six. Brinker matched his front nine 40.

The late round comeback was led by senior Colton Buege. Playing in the #4 spot due to his first round 80 he had been unable to find the spark to finish out his high school career on a high note. He had previously struggled with the seven West tee shot and decided to just put the ball in play on the 400 yard par 4 this day. His four iron landed nicely in the fairway about the time his coach next year - MN Gophers Coach Andrew Tank - appeared on the hole. His approach landed just right of the flag and spun back toward the hole. His fifteen foot birdie putt was center cut. Colton was not done. He launched his tee shot on the difficult 230 yard par three eighth straight at the flag but it ended up 35 feet below the hole. The putt was pure and dropped for his second birdie in a row. He left his attempt for three straight just shy of his final high school hole, finishing with an impressive two under 34 and a final round 74.

Next to come in was Corey Muenzhuber. His approach landed softly just twelve feet below the hole and he rolled in the putt for another important shot gained on the teams ahead.

Rumour had it that Mac was steady on the way in but had given a shot back and stood at one over heading into seven. That's when he started to improve on the earlier finish of his senior brother. Mac matched Colton's birdies on seven and eight and was in great shape on nine in the middle of the fairway. His playing partner, Chase Hahne of Elk River, had shot a four under 32 on the East but Mac's steady play and back-to-back birdies had drawn him even. Hahne was first to go and stuck his approach to five feet. Mac answered but was about twelve feet away. His attempt for his third straight bird stopped on the lip.......before dropping in. He matched Colton's 34 on the West and matched the low round of the day with a 70.

The six birdies in the closing holes helped erase the deficit built during the front nine and the comeback was complete, well, not quite. While there may be some solace in finishing second the way they did but they will have to live with the fact they fell short of their ultimate goal, the State Championship, and the first championship for Rogers High School. The Royals return five of the six starters and the future remains very bright for the program.

We wish Colton well and thank him for his dedication to the program. His accomplishments, as well as those of who came before him, have created a legacy that this program will continue to build upon. The bar is set high for Rogers Royals golf - and why not - they can back it up.

June 11, 2010 - Preview

The Royals continue to prepare in their quest for the Rogers High Schools first state championship. The 36 hole two day tournament begins Tuesday at Bunker Hills GC in Coon Rapids, MN.

Rogers is led by All-State selections Corey Muenzhuber, Mac Buege, and Colton Buege. Completing the roster are M8 All-Conference Jordan Rykal, Morgan Rask, and Derek Brinker. Brinker placed second in the recent Section 5AAA championship which was won by Mac. Colton (2008) and Cory (2009) have state tournament experience. This is the first team appearance.

Other teams competing are Mahtomedi, Eagan, Prior Lake, Lakeville North, Moorhead, Elk River, and defending state champion Wayzata. The top ranked teams are Rogers, Wayzata, Moorhead, and Elk River. Wayzata, Moorhead, and Rogers breezed through their respective sections, winning by comfortable margins. Elk River battled Forest Lake in Section 7AAA coming from behind during the final round and posting their lowest team scores of the year. Prior Lake upset one of the state's pre-season favorites Eden Prairie.

The two day team format utilizes the lowest four individual scores per team each day. Additionally, golfers are competing individually for the tournament medal. Tee times for the Royals begin with Corey Muenzhuber 12:09 West Nine, Morgan Rask 12:27 East Nine, Jordan Rykal 12:45 West Nine, Colton Buege 12:54 West Nine, Derek Brinker 1:30 West Nine, and McCabe Buege at 1:03 East Nine. Day Two tee times begin at 12:45.