Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm’s Kyle Esser drives the ball on Monday during the boys’ portion of the Big South Conference Golf Tournament at the New Ulm Country Club. The girls’ tournament was played in Jackson.

NEW ULM — Senior Kyle Esser shot a 17-over-par 88 at the New Ulm Country Club on Monday to lead the New Ulm boys at the Big South Conference East Boys’ Golf Tournament.

That finish was good enough to help Esser tie for 10th overall. The New Ulm boys’ team finished fifth overall (373), while Blue Earth Area took first (317).

New Ulm’s Evan Griebel tied for 14th with a 90, while Josh Gulden shot a 93 to tie for 16th.

Braden Gudahl of Blue Earth Area shot a 75 to take first, while St. Peter’s Kendall Nicolai tied with a 75.

The New Ulm girls’ team golfed at the Jackson Country Club on Monday on the girls’ side of the Big South tournament. They were led by Kate Frauenholtz, who finished 11th with a 105.

As a team, the New Ulm girls finished fourth (450), while Fairmont took first (394).

Also for the Eagles, Alyssa Nelson shot a 113 to tie for 18th, while Paige Dreckman shot a 114 to tie for 20th and Elyse Dreckman shot a 118 to tie for 23rd.

Waseca’s Megan Nelson finished first in Jackson with an 87, while Fairmont sophomore Anika Haugen took second with an 89.

Both the New Ulm boys and girls will return to action at 2 p.m. on Thursday when they travel to the Oakdale Golf Club for a meet.