Last season, Osseo's Dalton Charboneau just missed a second consecutive appearance in the Class 3A state boys' golf tournament. He returned this season with straighter shots and a sharper focus.
The two-day Section 5 tournament takes place this week and Charboneau, a junior who enjoyed success throughout the season, is among the favorites to remain near the top of the leader board.
"It was a setback last year to not make the state tournament again," said Orioles coach Tim Theisen. "But he turned that into motivation and really put a lot of work into his golf game."
The payoff has come is many areas. Though not long, Charboneau is precise off the tee. He follows up with a solid mid-range game and improved putting. Charboneau spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about his team, which performed well in the North Suburban Conference, and his return to state-caliber form.
Q Osseo is challenging for the conference title. Is this the type of season you expected or is this a pleasant surprise?
A I'd say it's a pleasant surprise. At the beginning of the year I thought we were going to be pretty good. But over the summer, Ross Miller really progressed. He's been taking lessons and really helped himself. Tyler Loomer played a lot of competitive golf tournaments. And I've been taking lessons, also, with Adam Guili from Edinburgh USA. So we're all competitive at the same level. It's gives us an edge.
Q Talk about some of your better matches this spring.
A Our first match at Northfork I shot 1-under and took second to [Elk River's] Chase Hahne. Actually, my first three events I took second place. Then I starting shooting upper-70s for a few matches and I wanted to go lower because I knew I had to if I wanted to win. Then we recently played Elk River and I put up a 74 and took first.
