Fedie and Johnson advance to the state meet

The St. Croix Central golf team will be represented by two golfers at the WIAA state tournament on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

Brad Fedie was the low score of individuals not on a qualifying team with an 81 and Austin Johnson tied for second place with an 82. Eric Christensen of Amery is the third qualifier from the Somerset Sectional.

"The kids are excited," said Coach Lindy Johnson. "They played very well."

Fedie had a 43 on the front nine at Bristol Ridge Tuesday, but came back with a 38 on the back nine. Johnson's round was just the opposite with a 38 on the front and 44 on the back.

The Panthers missed qualifying the whole team by just two strokes. Rice Lake won the sectional title with 329 and Mosinee was second at 342. The Panthers were just two strokes back at 344.

"We would have liked going to sudden death," Johnson said about a playoff for the second qualifying spot. "We had two solid rounds with a 342 at regionals and 344 at sectionals."

Other Panther scores were Jesse Krizan 90, Colin Bruesewitz 91 and Nick Revoir 101.

The Panther golfers began state tournament play at University Ridge near Madison with 18 holes on Monday. Both Central golfers shot an 87. Fedie shot 44-43 and Johnson shot 4740. Eric Christensen leads Division 2 after a first round 69. Play continues with 18 holes on Tuesday.

"The key at University Ridge is to hit the ball straight," Johnson said. "The course plays long, but both kids can play the long ball."