Rangers putt into top six at state

Golf season officially ended with the Hill City Rangers taking home sixth  place at the South Dakota Class B State Tournament  that took place at the Brookings Country Club  June 3-4.

The Hill City Fire Department gave the team a send off at 9 a.m. June 1.

“It felt so good,” said coach Josh Daiss about the send off and community support throughout the season. “It made us feel special. We felt it across the state.” 

The team played a fun round of golf on its way East River, stopping at the Howard golf course. Once in Brookings it played a practice round at the Brookings club to get acquainted with the course. 

Daiss said numerous friends and family members made the trek to Brookings to see the boys compete in person at the tournament, with Daiss calling the support “awesome.”

The Rangers finished day one of the tournament tied for sixth place with a team score of 249, 12 strokes behind the leader, Wessington Springs.

Individually Leo Daiss finished tied for 12th place with an overall 80 on the first round of play. Daiss was a mere six strokes behind the leader.

Zane Messick shot an 84, Adolph Tyler an 85 and Breylon Rahn had a day-one score of 87. The team enjoyed some ice cream and a rowdy team dinner after.

Day two the Rangers showed consistent effort with Messick taking the spotlight tying for 18th place overall with a 78 on the day. 

Daiss scored an 85 and Rahn  was only two strokes back with an 87. Tyler rounded out the team effort with a 95. 

Daiss called the win a “total team effort” saying it was neat to see how each boy contributed each day.

“Our goal was to get on the podium and we were able to get on the podium,” Daiss said.

He also noted there were three region six teams in the top 10. The Rangers, who vied for first place numerous times with the Wall Eagles, edged that team out by one stroke.

Daiss says the team is already getting ready for next season.