Molly Hoppe was one shot from duplicating her opening-round 84 Wednesday in the final round of the Class 3A state girls' golf tournament.
The Brainerd Warriors sophomore carded an 85 to finish with a 169. That placed her 32nd at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids.
"I didn't really think I would place that well," said Hoppe. "I really didn't think I would shoot as well as I did. I had a lot of fun. It was really exciting today because I played with some really good golfers.
"I learned I just need to be relaxed and play my own game and not worry about what everyone else is doing."
Hoppe shot nines of 39-46 for her 85. Like Tuesday's first round she started on the back nine so she opened with a 46 and concluded state with a 3-over 39 on her second nine.
"Her putting wasn't as good as Tuesday," said Warriors coach Brian Stark. "She was hitting the ball real well, but couldn't score. She missed a few putts on the front nine. I told her she played a lot better than she scored.
"I give her a lot of credit. She had a good showing."
Hoppe said she was misreading the greens. She felt she was hitting the ball better on her second nine.
"Her putting wasn't as good as Tuesday," said Warriors coach Brian Stark. "She was hitting the ball real well, but couldn't score. She missed a few putts on the front nine. I told her she played a lot better than she scored.
"I give her a lot of credit. She had a good showing."
Hoppe said she was misreading the greens. She felt she was hitting the ball better on her second nine. A string of pars revived her confidence level.
"It was a great week for Molly," said Stark. "She's worked very hard to get to this point. I was very impressed with how she played in her first state tournament as a sophomore. This will give her something to work toward for next year."
Hoppe is already preparing for her summer schedule of golf that begins next week on the Minnesota Junior PGA Players Tour. She'll also compete on the Staples MGA team.
Team scores: 1-Woodbury 678, 2-Forest Lake 692, 3t-Alexandria 699, 3t-Eden Prairie 699, 5-Lakeville North 700, 6-Hopkins 701, 7-Irondale 705, 8-Benilde-St Margaret's 747
Individual medalist: Ali Nelson (Moorhead) 78-72 - 150
Brainerd results: 32-Molly Hoppe 84-85 - 169
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.
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