File photo by Travis Rosenau Springfield’s Makenna Winkelmann tees off at the Section 2A meet. Springfield will once again participate in the girls’ golf Class A state meet.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield girls’ golf coach Dillon Schultz knew he had quite a challenge heading into this year after his team had to replace several key member’s off of last year’s Class A third-place team, including individual champion Callie Wersal.

But the pieces slowly fell into place again and the Tigers are representing Section 2A in the Class A State Girls’ golf meet, which begins on Tuesday and wraps up Wednesday at Pebble Creek in Becker.

“The team is a lot different losing the leadership and skill of three seniors last year and the state champion in Callie,” Schultz said. “However, our girls are held to a high standard and knew what was expected of them coming into the season.”

The Tigers are led by Makenna Winkelmann and Mackenzie Lothert. Both have been leaders in different ways this season.

“Makenna Winkelmann has been our vocal leader this year. However Mackenzie Lothert’s play and work ethic pushed her teammates early in the year.”

Including the Tigers, there are seven Class A girls from the area and Class AA girls’ golfer. The Tigers roster is made up of Lacole Weisensel, Anna Plotz, Lothert and Winkelmann.

Tee times for them begin with Weisensel at 7:39 a.m. on Tuesday, 7:57 a.m. for Plotz, 8:06 a.m. for Lothert and Winkelmann will tee off at 8:15 a.m. All Springfield golfers will tee off from the Red.

On the White, Cedar Mountain will have Shaylee Schiller tee off at 8:24 a.m. and teammate Erica Bock tees off at 8:33 a.m. New Ulm Cathedral’s Kayla Goblirsch is making her second state tournament and she tees off at 8:51 a.m.

Class AA

In the Class AA tournament, New Ulm’s Abbey Frauenholtz is back for her second tip to the state meet. She tied for 46th a year ago (94/93) with a 187. Her coach Todd McKeeth said that nerves may have got the best of Frauenholtz last year.

“She was pretty nervous and really did not play to the level she could have last year,” the coach said.

Frauenholtz will compete at Ridges of Sand Creek in Chaska and she tees off at 8:51 a.m. from Hole No. 1. McKeeth has high hopes for her.

“I think she could break 80 if all goes well for her,” he said. “She has shot in the low 80s at Ridges, and if she can stay focused, she is very capable.”

McKeeth said that she’s hitting the ball much better this year.

“Her length has improved through her whole bag,” he said. “Especially her irons are going further this year. It really helps your confidence when you have a shorter iron on your hand hitting to a green.”

Confidence is always important in golf. With Frauenholtz, it will take her a long way if she’s playing well.

“There were only 11 players that scored better than her in section play,” he said. “If she can play with confidence and focus, then she will do very well at state. If she can do well with her scoring clubs (wedges and putter), then I believe she could be in the [Top] 10.”