Peter Jones shoots par; places 2nd at state

Going into the State Class 3A golf tournament June 9-10, Owatonna’s Peter Jones had one thought in mind — winning. In a different year, a 144 finish may have been enough, but this year, it was one short. 
Leading the pack by two strokes going into the final nine holes, that thought — that dream — was within sight, but Dane Sethre-Hofstad of Moorhead had different plans, finishing the final nine with a 35 to Peter’s 38, good enough to steal the trophy.  
“When I saw (his) 143, I was pretty devastated,” said Jones. 
Though claiming the runner-up title and defeating third place finishers Sam Foust of Edina and Blaine’s VanArragon by four strokes, Jones’ finish wasn’t exactly a dream come true.  
“I was thinking about all the people who said good luck,” said Jones. “Second place is the one you don’t want to get.” 
Jones said he’d been looking forward to the state tournament the entire season, a tournament he’d participated in three times before, tying for 14th his freshman year, tying for second his sophomore year and placing a solo seventh his junior year.  
“My main goal was to win,” said Jones.  
Owatonna Golf Coach Keith Bangs echoed Jones’ sentiments. 
“He went up there with one thought in mind,” said Bangs. “He wanted to come back with a state championship.” 
The trophy wasn’t meant to be, but both Bangs and Jones believe nothing was left on the course. Jones said his approach going into the tournament was not to reach a certain numeric mark, but to take it shot by shot, and for that, Jones succeeded.  
“I did the best I could,” said Jones. “My putting was very solid, and I thought I achieved my goal. Sometimes you just come up one short.” 
For Sethre-Hofstad, the win was a welcomed surprise. 
“At the beginning of season, I just wanted to make it to state. When I did make it, I really didn’t have high expectations,” said Sethre-Hofstad.
Sethre-Hofstad bested Jones by 15 strokes at a Brainerd invitational earlier in the season, but stated that he knew the competition would be difficult at the state tournament. 
“When I play with good guys, it helps my game,” Hofstad added. “It drives me to play a little better. So I was exited to compete against Peter again.”
Bangs sang Jones’ praises following the tournament, stating that Jones proved to be a man of consistency all season long.  
“He shot one under the first day — one over the second day,” said Bangs. “That’s been Peter all year — very, very consistent. Not a lot of highs and not a lot of real lows.” 
For the season, Jones golfed in 19 18-hole matches. Over the course of all 19, Jones shot 18 over par.  
“Put in perspective,” said Bangs, “there were kids (at the tournament) that were 18 over par. Peter went 19 rounds and was only 18 over par.” 
Despite the consistency, however, Jones’ worst score of the tournament came on the final nine holes.  
“After hole 15, I was even for the day,” said Jones. “I was thinking ‘okay that’s fine,’ but I still wanted to get lower and lower.” 
Jones faced immediate adversity, however, landing his ball in the water on hole 16. A difficult shot landed Jones back on the green, where he was able to finish for par. Another par on 17 brought Jones to the final hole of his high school career and a chance at the state title, but one less-than-perfect shot made Jones miss par and his shot at the title. 
“I really could have blown up on those last three holes,” said Jones. “I gave myself a chance on 18.” 
Watching Jones’ final putts from behind the green was Sethre-Hofstad, who had already finished. Sethre-Hofstad said that while it was “crazy” to see Jones miss the putt that would have tied him for first, he also knows how much it hurts to not sink a putt one is capable of making.  
“He’s a great player and he’s going to go on to do great things,” said Sethre-Hofstad, who will golf for Division 3 Gettysburg College next fall.
Jones added that despite the frustration, he will remember the great saves and putts for par throughout the tournament that kept him in the running.  
“I’m happy with an even par,” said Jones. “You can wish, but you also remember the shots you hit so well. Leaving with second, I was disappointed but also happy.” 
Coach Bangs was also pleased with the finish. 
“He played well. He didn’t blow it. Yes, he was disappointed, but he did what he could do. It wasn’t that he lost the tournament. It was just plain and simple the other kid played better. It was a great conclusion to his career.” 
Now, with six years of high school varsity golf, four state appearances and two runner-up titles under his belt, Jones will begin a new journey at the Division 1 level with the University of Minnesota.  
“I’m really excited to be playing at that level,” said Jones, “and all the little things you get with being at the D1 level — the facilities and traveling to different courses. I know a lot of the guys, and I’m excited to get to know them better.” 
Bangs is also excited to continue following his golfer at the next level.  
“We’re all just tickled pink that he’s continuing at the University of Minnesota where we can keep in touch and keep track of him,” said Jones.  
University of Minnesota Golf Coach John Carlson also spoke highly of Jones.
“Pete’s a strong player — a mature player. He has been in the winner’s circle plenty of times, which I think will transfer well into his college career,” said Carlson.
Jones was offered a scholarship from the Gophers shortly after his sophomore year. Two years later, Carlson will finally have Jones on his team.
“We’re excited about what he can bring to our program,” said Carlson.
As Jones prepares for the fall, he said it’s a surreal feeling leaving Owatonna.  
“Being around the team and coaches on the last van ride home...I’ve known them for eight years, and it was a surreal moment. It was the last tournament with Bangs as my coach. It was a good experience. Overall, it was the greatest way I could have gone out.”