For the first time in many years the Tigers will play in the final round of the Section 1AA team tournament.
Farmington finished eighth among 12 schools in the opening round played at windy Bellwood Oaks Golf Club in Hastings on Thursday to move on to next Monday's finals at the same course.
Defending champion Lakeville North led at the halfway point with 307 strokes. Lakeville South ranked second at 321, followed by Owatonna 322, Winona 323, Rochester Century 324, Rochester Mayo 330, Rochester John Marshall 335, Farmington 337, Austin 344, Faribault 344, Albert Lea 347 and Northfield 350. The first eight teams moved on to the final round
"I can't recall the last time our entire team qualified for the second day of sections," Tiger coach Jon Holmes said. "There were lots of large numbers on specific holes and lots of great players that may have seen their dream for state blow away in the 45 mph wind...As it turned out, it came down to the last grouping and we qualified comfortably and only missed the next two spots by a couple strokes."
The wind inflated the final scores but three Tigers shot well enough that they would have qualified for the finals as individuals had the team not made the cut.
Cooper Loew 81 topped the Tiger leader board with a round of 81, two shots better than regular-season leader Tommy May and three lower than Matt Provost. Erik Holmstrom and Jacob Hanson each finished at 89 and Tony Lalani carded 98.
