WATERLOO — One inch.
It really, really bothered Brandon Tournier at the time.
One inch.
It saved Ethan Anderson’s hopes.
Oelwein senior duo — who traversed four seasons as the top two golfers in the program from freshman year onward — went from sweating and perhaps swearing to grins and gratitude Monday afternoon at South Hills Golf Course after both qualified for the Class 2A state tournament.
Anderson and Tournier carded identical 79s to tie for sixth place and earn the final individual entries out of the Dike-New Hartford/Hudson District round. The top two individuals, and ties, of any player outside of the top 3 teams advance.
Both Anderson and Tournier were one stroke behind West Marshall’s Hunter Polley, who shot a 78 to place third.
“I would much rather play with him than not,†Tournier said. “This whole season was awesome, it’s my favorite season of my senior year. Great team, too. I’m happy for all of us.â€
Grundy Center’s medalist Judd Jirovsky (77) and Preston Martens (fourth, 78), Columbus Catholic’s Max Schuchmann (fifth, 78) and East Marshall’s Cody Weaver (runner-up, 77) rounded out the top five.
Those three teams qualified while battling 30-miles per hour winds through all five hours of the round. Jirovsky beat Weaver in a playoff for medalist honors.
It is Tournier’s second time at state. He played at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames as a sophomore in 2023. Tournier placed third with a 143.
Tournier, who began at hole No. 14 on Monday at South Hills, was plus-2 after his birdie on No. 9 and after his par on No. 10. Then, things went — sideways, per se.
He bogeyed No. 11, double-bogeyed the par-3 No. 12 and bogeyed the par-5 No. 13, his last hole.
“Got underneath a tree, tried to make the best out of it,†Tournier said. “I get up there, and I know I have a putt for par. So, I went after it. I had a 15-footer coming back for my bogey, and I missed it by maybe an inch, basically lipped out.â€
Tournier was livid. He was top two in the field after checking in at the end of 9, and it felt like it just tumbled away, in every sense possible.
“I just needed that (bogey on 13), and I was mad in the moment,†he said. “I didn’t really think I was going to make it (to state). Obviously, it’s the last year to do it, so it was a little upsetting.â€
Meanwhile, Anderson had his own bouncing day. He dropped to plus-4 with a birdie on 9 but blew up with a triple-bogey on the par-4 No. 10.
“I thought it was over, tripled it,†Anderson said. “Eventually parred out.â€
It stayed at plus-7. That is where his final one-inch situation popped up.
“Final hole, had to get up and down,†Anderson said of being on the green on 13. “And sunk a putt from 15 foot, so … it fell. That was great.
“Sunk a 40-footer on my way (from 11 to 13). Everything works out.â€
Anderson went 38/41 front to back, with one birdie. Tournier went 37/42 front to back, with four birdies.
“I’m so very, very excited for them both,†head coach Derek Kuennen said. “I can’t describe it. Both had their ups and downs, especially the last few holes. It’s awesome how this just works out.
“These guys have been doing the right for — in terms of just being on the golf course and working their tails off — for the last four years. It’s beyond gratifying to see that be rewarded for these guys. I know it means a lot to them.â€
The Husky pair also found luck in another situation.
Dike-New Hartford’s Carson Costello was plus-3 (on track for 75) through 15 holes but shot plus-5 during his final three holes. He also took a penalty stroke and a higher score because of a ball snafu situation.
Both Tournier and Anderson expressed sympathy for Costello within their elation of having two more rounds together.
“Everything just worked out somehow. Honestly, I think (it was) the man upstairs,†Anderson said. “I prayed before this (round); I wanted both of us to go to state. I’m just excited. I’m bringing Ethan with me.â€
Oelwein placed eighth with a 349. Dylan Hamilton broke 100 with a 91 while Maddox Pattison (100), Grant Berryman (105) and Dayton Logan (112) rounded out the team’s day.
Next Tuesday and Wednesday in Waterloo marks the final coaching days for Kuennen, as well.
“I told both of those guys a big reason I coached (this year) is to see those guys through,†the coach said. “I feel like I owed that to them, kind of like we’re in it together. One last ride. Hopefully it’s a good one.â€
Anderson was with Tournier’s entourage two years ago. Next week, he’ll have a small entourage of his own.
“Feels great not having to just watch this time,†Anderson said. “Feels great. Just happy.â€
