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A “chip” on his shoulder [UPDATED]
Published 11:00am Monday, June 13, 2011 Updated 11:16am Monday, June 13, 2011Pressure isn’t something that fazes Fergus Falls Otters’ Taylor Shuck. Ask Taylor how he made it to the Class 3A state tournament this season.
Shuck made his mark in the Section 8AAA tournament as he went to a playoff hole with last year’s Class 3A state champion Charlie Braniff and Bemidji’s Trey Dale. Shuck went on to sink a birdie putt and claim one of the last spots in the state tournament.
“It was a pretty emotional moment,” said Shuck. “Going through the whole year, the goal is to get to the state tournament as a team and an individual.”
Otters’ coach Ben Jurgens says he couldn’t be happier for Taylor.
“This is something that Taylor has wanted since he joined the golf team,” Jurgens said. “I am very proud of him.”
Taylor will head down to Coon Rapids to play on the state famous Bunker Hills Golf Course Tuesday morning. Shuck said he doesn’t see the course as being a problem or putting him at a disadvantage as he sees the course being one of the best he has played on this season.
“It has really nice conditions,” Shuck said. “It is a little tight and there are a few water hazards, but it is one of the nicer courses I have played.”
With a difficult field of some of the best golfers in the state, Taylor doesn’t just want to be a part of the tournament, but a true competitor.
“We don’t tell our players that they have to shoot a certain score or be in a certain place by the end of day one,” Jurgens said. “We tell them to go down there and have fun and enjoy the atmosphere and everything will come together.”
Being a northern Minnesota golfer, Shuck will look to prove he belongs with some of the south’s best players and possibly take home a state medal.
Coach Jurgens looks at the tournament as a competition that Taylor should enjoy, but also feels that Shuck’s chances in the field are pretty good.
