NEW ULM — New Ulm junior Glavine Schugel admitted that he was frustrated with his first-day score of 77 at the state golf tournament last week.

While most people would say that was a career day, Schugel wasn’t happy after sitting in 16th place. He came back and fired a 72 on the second day despite missing some putts that could’ve made his score even better. He finished fourth overall at the tournament and he has his sights set on one goal: bringing home the state championship next year.

Schugel’s work ethic on the course showed up when it mattered most this past season. Now considered to be one of the favorites heading into next year, Schugel is focused on adding some length to his drive and working on his short game.

Schugel’s season ended well as he was selected at the 2019 All-Journal Boys’ Golfer of the Year. But he still wonders what might have been.

“A 77 for me is pretty rock bottom, I guess,” he said. “It’s hard not to get frustrated about it. If I would’ve played like I normally play on the first day and then make a few putts, I missed eight putts within eight feet. I would’ve been right there, maybe even won it with a couple shots here and there.”

His coach, Dan Janke, said that Schugel has the ability to quickly forget a bad shot and stay focused.

“Glavine’s maturity, and ability go get over a bad shot or a missed opportunity has really impressed me this year,” Janke said. “Golf is such a mental game that Glavine has such a good handle on as far as his course management, confidence in his shots and overcoming negative situations.”

Schugel made the varsity squad as a seventh-grader. It didn’t take him long to become one of the school’s better golfers. Despite competing with golfers older than him, he never felt like he didn’t belong.

“Not really,” he said. “I guess, at that age I probably didn’t undestand it like I do now.”

Janke said that Schugel’s ability to stay positive helps him in most situations.

“In the conditions that the boys played in Day 1 of state, Glavine played very steady, he just had a few missed putts and only one birdie which is unusual for him,” Janke said. “He stayed positive and set a goal of taking more advantage of opportunities on Day 2. I definitely see that as motivation for Glavine for next year. He was happy with his round and knows he had some unfortunate breaks rather than any regrets of mistakes. I think he looks forward to his senior year of both of the sports he loves and will work hard to finish off his career on top.”

With one year left, Schugel has a chance to become a state champion. His fourth-place finish this year was the best in school history and he’s had a lot of former New Ulm golfers that have helped him along the way.

“All those guys, I played with Ethan Kraus, they made me want to be better,” Schugel said. “Obviously guys like Jimmy Fromm, Kelton Schmitz, Scott Paa. Those guys, when I was younger, they’d ask me to play with them and I just thought it was really cool. It’s always fun, Tim Huffman too, he was a big part of my golf career and he gave me my first lesson.”