Senior Andrew Israelson from Staples-Motley was announced as the inaugural winner of the Mr. Minnesota Golf Award Sunday night at an awards banquet at the Windsong Farm Golf Course in Independence.
Sixteen candidates, eight senior high school boys and eight senior girls were considered for the honor based on their 2016 performance.
"It's quite an honor for him, to get the first Mr. Minnesota Golf Award," said Staples-Motley head coach Glen Hasselberg. "It's not that the other candidates weren't deserving, but he's had such an awesome year and career."
Israelson will be competing for the Minnesota Class 2A championship Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ridges of Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan.
"I don't believe this will affect his tournament play at all," said Hasselberg. "He's a very grounded young man who will handle it quite well."
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Kate Smith from Detroit Lakes received the Ms. Minnesota Golf Award.
"Two Mid-State (Conference) participants are the inaugural winners of this award, that's pretty impressive," said Hassleberg.
