The only thing consistent about Farmington's play during the 2011 season was its inconsistency. In five Missota Conference meets coach Jon Holmes' squad finished fifth, sixth (twice), seventh and eighth, good enough for sixth place in the final eight-team league standings.
The Tigers played some of their best golf late, placing eighth in the Section 1AAA meet and advancing to the final round for the first time in many years.
"We were up and down all year," Holmes said. "The fact that we finished fifth in the last conference meet and made the second round of the sections were good accomplishments for us.
"We knew there would be some stiff competition for the top four spots with Chanhassen and Chaska joining the conference this year...Perhaps with some summer golf we can claw our way into the top four next year."
Holmes awarded varsity letters to nine players for their work during the 2011 campaign, including seniors Mike Dalhed, Cooper Loew, Matt Provost and Trevor Hockert.
Juniors Tommy May, Tony Lalani and Jacob Hanson, sophomore Kevin Olund and seventh grader Erik Holmstrom also earned letters this spring.
May was the low Tiger scorer for the season, finishing 12th in the individual conference rankings and receiving all-league honorable mention for his efforts.
Holmes said that his junior varsity team had a solid spring and that he sees many of that team's players key to the success of the 2012 squad.
"The winners will be the ones who get out and play this summer," he said. "Those players and some of the other young players who flourished toward the end of the season should really help us."
Holmes could not say enough about the importance of playing competitive summer golf.
"There is nothing wrong with playing 54 holes a day," he said, "and tournament golf helps you keep an edge. Every shot counts. That's something you can't get when you're just playing with your buddies."
The Tiger coach said he couldn't put the 2011 season in his rear view mirror without some parting words for his four seniors.
"Those guys are a class act," he said. "They all brought their own unique personality to the course. Hopefully they will continue to play as each of them has a bright golf future ahead of them.
"Cooper (Loew) was the best dressed of all time. He sported matching shoes, bright pants and cardigans no matter what the conditions."
Cooper Loew
"...best dressed of all time."...coach Jon Holmes
