Alex Eisen/MDN Minot High golfer Gavin Argent competes at the 2018 Class A boys state golf meet at the Heart River Golf Course in Dickinson.

BISMARCK — While the COVID-19 pandemic shut down spring sports across the country, Chris Geiss devised a plan. Geiss, a Glen Ullin native, yearned to fill the gap for high school golfers across North Dakota.

He spearheaded the upcoming 2020 North Dakota Spring State Championships at Riverwood Golf Course in Bismarck. Over 150 Class A and Class B golfers will compete in the two-day tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday.

When the NDHSAA canceled all high school activities on May 1, Geiss seized the opportunity.

“We were still holding out hope that they would get something done,” he said. “When they had to make the decision to cancel, we just went full steam ahead with Plan B.”

Marshals and volunteers will enforce social distancing guidelines throughout the event. The marshals will assist at the driving range and putting green and will be stationed around the course. Tee times begin at 8:30 a.m on Tuesday.

The field features 17 of the 30 All-State players from the 2019 season. Geiss said he wants to grow the game for the next generation and also recognize the seniors who could not compete this spring.

“Those 40 seniors getting a chance to do it one more time is really special,” he said.

Class A

Six Minot High School golfers will participate in the tournament. Gavin Argent, Ashton Heilman, Jacob Theis, Peyton Bartsch, Henry Langhans and Brock Jones will represent the Magicians.

Argent, a former All-State golfer, will tee off at 10:54 a.m. on Tuesday.

“I think it’s an honor to get the chance to go out there and represent this year,” he said.

The talented Class A pool will feature familiar foes and fresh competition, as 39 players competed in the 2019 state tournament. Argent tipped his cap to fellow WDA member Bismarck Century and said he looks forward to competing against East players.

“This will be our chance to show the East what we’ve been practicing,” he said. “They’re really good.”

Although uncertainty clouded the last few months, the Magicians refined their skills. During his practice sessions at the Vardon Golf Club, Langhans emphasized two critical facets of the game — chipping and putting.

“That’s what I need to work on the most,” he said. “I’m making sure that I’m not losing shots out on the course that I can’t lose.”

Ridgewood is located nearly two hours south of Minot, but Langhans is comfortable within the tree-filled greens. He acknowledged the course as his favorite in the state.

“The greens are always very tough and very fast,” Langhans said. “It’s always in great condition. It’s just a really fun course to play.”

Langhans will begin his first round at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Class B

The Class A girls state tournament was held in the fall, so Class B boys and girls will partake in the action. The Class B groups feature 41 boys and 22 girls who participated in last year’s state tournament.

Zach Hendrickson of Our Redeemer’s will tee off at 8:54 a.m. on Tuesday. Last season, Hendrickson earned All-State recognition.

“It definitely is a mental game,” Hendrickson said. “That’s why golf is pretty hard. My main thing is just to have fun.”

Hendrickson is grouped with 2018 Class B state champion Mark Olson of Kindred. Defending state champion Parker Bartels will also represent Kindred.

Additionally, the Vikings enter the fray as back-to-back team state champions. The competition is stiff, but Hendrickson remains optimistic.

“You can’t have too many bad mistakes,” he said. “You’re bound to have some good rounds.”

Other local Class B schools participating in the tournament are Bottineau (Jaden McCloud, Max Palmer, Zach Barbot, Carson Huerer), Des Lacs-Burlington (Nathan Ferm, Elijah Miller, Carter Eide, Riley Eide), Glenburn (Jordan Anderson, Luke Anderson), Stanley (Josh Hetzel) and Nedrose (Hailee Miller).

Notably, four-time state champion Emily St. Aubin of South Border will tee off at 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday. The Golf Genius app and ndgolf.org will feature-hole-by-hole scoring.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.