Going into the Class 2 state golf tournament on Monday, Fatima sophomore Ty Brandt had a bit of pressure to deal with after winning it all last year. Coach Scott Kilgore is pleased with his resilience as Brandt earned 12th place with a 79-74-153 at the Bogey Creek Golf Club in Farmington.

“Champions are not defined by how they fall, but by how they respond and rebound,” said Kilgore. “Golf is definitely a sport that is played between the ears, and boy, did this tournament test Ty’s mental capacity.”

Kilgore and Assistant Coach Eric Saak were pleased with Brandt’s first-round performance of 79 on day one. “Ty was not,” said Kilgore. “He knew he was better than that, which is a prime example of his competitive nature.”

Day two of the tournament was different as the tournament structure changed due to the weather. MSHSAA moved the start time to 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start.

“This changed the whole dynamic of the tournament for the players,” said Kilgore. “Everyone knew the weather was rolling in, and we had a small window to get 18 holes completed. That affected the players’ mental focus as well, and Ty started the day not playing to his full potential.”

However, it all changed for him when he reached the 14th hole, where he scored an eagle. Brandt went seven under over the last eight holes. 

“That stretch of eight holes was the best I’ve ever seen him play,” said Kilgore. He absolutely dismantled his last eight holes with precision golf. I can’t be prouder as  his coach as to how he handled the pressure and responded after a rough start.”