BROOKINGS, S.D. — Bon Homme rallied from third place to capture the Class B Boys State Golf Championship on Tuesday at Brookings Country Club, while Wessington Springs secured a top-five finish after spending much of the tournament in contention.
Bon Homme posted a two-day score of 40-over-par to win the state title, finishing six strokes ahead of runner-up Philip (46-over). Clark/Willow Lake placed third at 48-over, followed by Hill City at 49-over and Wessington Springs at 50-over.
The Spartans entered the final round in second place and just three strokes off the lead after Monday’s opening round. Wessington Springs remained in the hunt but slipped to fifth after a challenging final day.
JD Thompson led the Spartans throughout the tournament, finishing tied for fifth in the individual standings at 8-over-par 152. Thompson followed his opening-round 73 with a 79 on Tuesday to earn all-tournament honors.
Luke Larson also finished inside the top 50, tying for 46th at 20-over 164 after rounds of 77 and 87. Tucker Thompson tied for 52nd at 22-over 166, while Heyns Bothma tied for 75th at 28-over 172.
Bon Homme’s championship effort was fueled by a balanced lineup. Madden Merkwan tied for 11th at 10-over 154, while Michael Branaugh tied for 14th at 11-over 155. Kashius Tucker added a tie for 42nd at 19-over 163 as Bon Homme overtook first-round leader Philip.
In the individual race, Hamlin’s Aiden Abraham delivered the tournament’s best round Tuesday, shooting a 3-under-par 69 to finish at 2-over 146 and claim the state championship. Abraham entered the final round tied for 16th before surging past the field.
Doland’s Kaiden Weinreis finished second at 4-over 148, while Webster Area’s Seth Lesnar took third at 5-over 149. De Smet’s Maxxon Kees placed fourth at 7-over 151.
Several area teams finished in the middle of the pack. Howard tied for 17th at 76-over, led by Max Shumaker’s tie for 48th-place finish at 21-over 165. Dre Bolden tied for 69th at 27-over 171.
Platte-Geddes placed 20th at 88-over. Jye Bailey led the Black Panthers with a tie for 66th finish at 26-over 170, while Maddux VanZee tied for 95th at 31-over 175.
Hanson finished 22nd at 94-over. Nate Wilber paced the Beavers, tying for 75th at 28-over 172. Layton Popp tied for 100th at 32-over 176, and Pierce Kayser tied for 107th at 34-over 178.