SIOUX FALLS -- The Mitchell High School boys golf team is finishing its season where it began.

The Kernels started their season at the Sioux Falls Washington Invitational at Willow Run Golf Course in August.

They will now close their 2020 campaign at the same course, but with more on the line. Mitchell will play at the Class AA state golf tournament Monday and Tuesday at Willow Run Golf Course.

“Everybody on our team has had experience playing there the last couple years pretty much,” Mitchell coach Mark Horan said. “They played there on the (SDGA) junior tour and then we will go over on Sunday before the state tournament to play a practice round also.”

During their lone round at Willow Run, the Kernels shot a 342 and finished 10th out of 16 teams. Macon Larson was Mitchell’s best finisher with an 82 on the challenging course, which Horan said has a number of penalty areas.

“I don’t know of a course that has more,” Horan said. “There’s something on about 80 percent of the holes and then the green speeds are the fastest we will play. They were fast in August and I suspect they will be very, very fast for state.”

The Kernels have routinely finished in the middle of the pack this season, but Horan said the goal is to earn sixth place or better at state.

Mitchell is coming off a 343 at a triangular on Thursday at Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls. Larson shot a team-best 81, while Jackson Childs and Ashton Reimnitz both finished with an 86, while Carter Harris carded a 90. Will Prunty (97) and Noah Larson (99) each hit under 100 strokes. Lincoln Bates was sidelined with an injury, but Horan anticipates he will be ready for state.

Regardless, Horan likes the state of the group going into state.

“I actually have been pretty happy with the team most of the year,” he said. “I think they surprised a little bit. We thought it was going to be a little bit more rebuilding. They are really young and they’ve progressed nicely and they’ve worked hard in practice.”

Chamberlain’s confidence high after region win

HOT SPRINGS -- The Chamberlain High School boys golf team is brimming with confidence.

The Cubs are coming off a Region 3A golf title on Sept. 28 at Lakeview Golf Course. Chamberlain shot a 356, edging Parkston by one stroke for the title.

Chamberlain is now riding high going into the Class A state golf tournament Monday and Tuesday at Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs.

Chamberlain coach Chris Caldwell said the course is shorter than Lakeview and the Cubs will depend on their iron play.

“These boys actually play really good with their irons,” Caldwell said. “It’s going to really help them with their confidence and going in there saying ‘Hey, we’ve got a shot of trying to be state champs.’ ”

Chamberlain’s Dakota Munger led the team with an 81 and captured individual medalist honors at the region. Munger’s region score places him in the third group pairing.

The lead group is made up of Little Wound’s Lance Christensen, Jr., Dakota Valley’s Paul Bruns, Tea Area’s Keeton Newborg and Lennox’s Dalton Plucker.

Caldwell anticipates Parkston, Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls Christian and Tea Area to be among the team contenders.