The Minot girls golf team wrapped up their 2020 fall season in the Class A state tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 6. While the Majettes did not qualify for a placing in team play, Minot senior golfer Bella Dobrinski finished tied for sixth place individually with a final score of 157 at the conclusion of the two-day meet.

The Minot Daily News reached out to head varsity coach Scott Foltz for his thoughts on the tournament, as well as a look ahead to next season. Here is what coach Foltz had to say via email.

What were your expectations heading into the state tournament, and did your club meet those expectations?

Foltz: We hoped to play our best golf of the season during the state tournament and all four players accomplished this goal during at least one of the two rounds.

Could you assess the overall performances of Dobrinski, as well as the other top players from your team?

Foltz: Bella Dobrinski and Taryn Trueblood each shot their top two scores of the season, and Cali Wilson and Savanah Brintnell each carded one of their best scores on day one of the tournament. Dobrinski was our team captain and scoring leader, carding a 78 and 79 during the two days. She was followed by Trueblood, who shot her two best high school tournament scores with and 86 and 85. Brintnell scored an 84 and 90, and Wilson rounded out our scores by shooting an 86 and 92.

Given this new era of social distancing, what kind of impact did that have on the actual competition?

Foltz: The competition on the course was largely the same, with the exception of a lot of coaches in masks, but the activities surrounding the tournament looked a lot different. For example, the golfers were “shotgunned” throughout the course rather than using tee times off the first and tenth holes, there were no rules or coaches meetings, there were no volunteers taking tickets at the gate or entering scores online throughout the course, and the scoreboards were virtual rather than posted.

Leading up to the state meet, how did your club fare during regionals?

Foltz: Unfortunately, our team stumbled at the West Region Tournament on September 30, and the entire squad did not qualify for the State Tournament. We had four golfers that did qualify as individuals at two earlier events though.

Looking ahead to next season, discuss the overall direction of the program and where things are headed

Foltz: The team is losing four seniors this season and each played a significant number of tournaments, so they will have to be replaced. We have a nucleus to build around for next fall: Wilson, Avery Falcon, Addison Sorenson, and Mackenzie Strange all played significant roles on this season’s squad and will need to step up. We have a lot of aspiring golfers in our mid-skills and beginner levels of golfers, so hopefully some of those kids will be ready for prime time next season.

How many seasons have you been the head coach at Magic City, and what is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Foltz: I have been involved with the girls program since the fall of 2002 and the head coach for the past eight seasons. The most rewarding aspect of the job is getting to work with incredibly motivated athletes, their families and the supportive Minot golf community from the local pros to the golfers at the courses. The girls go to school for eight hours and then come to practice with a smile on their face for two to three more hours; and that doesn’t take into account the hundreds of hours they spend in the off season tuning up their game. When I start to get run down, I just think about the kids and that fires me up again.