The Osakis boys golf team went through a youth movement two seasons ago that has helped the Silverstreaks to a good start in the Central Minnesota Conference so far this season.
Osakis is still relatively young with no seniors in its lineup, but junior Logan Lipke and freshman Chase Triebenbach are two of the catalysts on this team who return with varsity experience. They were big parts of the Silverstreaks getting a couple of wins in the CMC on April 23.
“One thing I really appreciate about this team is how relaxed they are,” Lipke said after Osakis won its 9-hole home meet with a team score of 166 that day. “Our goal is not necessarily to shoot the best every time. No matter what the day brings, it’s to have a good attitude and good conduct at the course.”
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Triebenbach shot a 39 in the afternoon at his home course after carding a 38 at the Prairie View Community Golf Course in Brooten in the morning on April 23. That was good for second place on both nines, and a tie for first over the course of 18 holes.
“My putting (was key),” Triebenbach said. “I made most of my 10-footers and in, so that helped.”
Lipke also shot a 38 at BBE before carding a 42 in Osakis. Freshman Drew Imdieke added a 42 in Osakis, while junior Aaron Nack (43), sophomore Elijah Hagen (47) and freshman Cody Helm (62) finished off the lineup on the Silverstreaks’ home course. Imdieke shot a 40 at BBE, and Nack was Osakis’ fourth scorer with a 44.
Triebenbach is playing in the No. 1 spot in the lineup for Osakis. The freshman has prepared himself for this by getting in a lot of rounds even without the Minnesota State High School League season a year ago.
“I feel pretty prepared,” Triebenbach said of taking over the top spot in the lineup. “I’ve played in some Minnesota Junior PGA events. They’re 18-hole events and they’re different courses around the area, so that helps.”
Lipke played in the third spot in the lineup behind Imdieke last Friday, and proved that he can score with the top players in this conference.
“I think the biggest thing for me is relaxation. I can hit the shots if I’m calm, if I’m collected,” Lipke said. “(Two years ago) was my first experience with high school golf, so with that under my belt I feel a lot more confident. I feel like I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. My game is there, and if I just relax and remain calm, the shots will come.”
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The Silverstreaks were coming off a fifth-place finish at the Pre-Section 6AA meet on April 22 heading into their conference opener.
“I was surprised. It was not our best day,” Lipke said of Osakis’ place after shooting a 375 at Blackberry Ridge. “We all shot in the 90s, but it made me feel good that even if we’re not playing well, we’re still good enough to be in contention. I really appreciate this team for the goal not necessarily being a section or state title, but just playing our best and encouraging each other.”
The Silverstreaks looked like a team that can contend at the top of the Central Minnesota Conference in their league opener. Triebenbach said that conference title is what these players are shooting for in the regular season before seeing how far they can go as individuals and as a team at the section meet.
OSAKIS MEET - TEAM SCORES - Osakis - 166; BBE - 173; Paynesville - 182; Kimball-Eden Valley-Watkins - 188; ACGC - 221; INDIVIDUAL WINNER - Luke Ashbrook - 37; Chase Triebenbach - 39; Spencer Lundberg - 42; Logan Lipke - 42
OSAKIS SCORES - Chase Triebenbach - 39; Drew Imdieke - 42; Logan Lipke - 42; Aarno Nack - 43; Elijah Hagen - 47; Cody Helm - 62
BBE MEET - TEAM SCORES - Osakis - 160; BBE - 163; K-EVW - 176; Paynesville - 189; ACGC - 213
OSAKIS SCORES - Triebenbach - 38; Imdieke - 40; Lipke - 38; Nack - 44; Hagen - 56; Helm - 55
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TOP INDIVIDUALS - Gannon Walsh - 37; Triebenbach - 38; Lipke - 38; Winston Carlson - 39
