The Willmar Cardinals boys golf team is optimistic for the season, returning five of six players from last year's Section 8AAA team. They started the spring with a fourth-place finish at the Monticello Invitational.
Apr. 14---- Almost everyone is back for the
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Head coach Joe Kuehn returns five of his six golfers from last year's Section 8AAA team, which graduated one key senior in Anthony Cellini.
Willmar kicked off the spring with a fourth-place finish at the Monticello Invitational on Monday at Monticello Country Club.
"We are about seven deep," Kuehn said. "I want to surprise people."
Kuehn's experienced squad enters the 2026 season led by his trio of junior captains Aden Jacobson, Luke Larson and Liam Ims.
Jacobson, who capped off his sophomore season as a state entrant, and Larson are Willmar's pair of All-Central Lakes Conference selections.
"We should see some really good scores out of Aden and Luke throughout the year," Kuehn said. "They should lead our team and help our team score stay down. But they are two great kids who work at it and I hope this season is going to be great for them. They're super excited."
Ims also certainly will be a key contributor for the Cardinals.
"Liam had some peak moments last year where he pulled out a couple 70s, but he's looking for more consistency and has been working hard," Kuehn said. "We need to get him settled in because we need him."
Evan Michelson will also be back in the mix this spring.
Michelson is a sophomore who takes lessons with Aaron Jacobson, who has been the Director of Instruction at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove since 2009.
Aaron is a cousin to Andy Jacobson, who is Aden's father. He is a 1991 graduate of Willmar High School and won the state Class AA championship in 1990.
Aden also takes lessons with his first cousin once removed.
"Evan looks really good," Kuehn said of Michelson, who is hitting his driver more than 300 yards. "I think this is going to be his breakout year."
Cooper Lownsbury, one of the two seniors who is looking to be a stable contributor in varsity competition, has Kuehn excited.
"He seems more confident with himself and is making better decisions," Kuehn said. "The biggest thing for Cooper is getting around the course better. He's got the length. He's got the game. He's just got to put some complete rounds together."
Lownsbury's senior teammate Gibson Horyza and junior Sawyer Dahl, who led the Cardinals with a 75 on Monday, also look to make contributions this spring.
They are part of a Willmar squad that finished fifth in the CLC last year.
Detroit Lakes, the state Class AA defending champion, won the conference and edged Alexandria by one stroke. Brainerd is also a top team to watch in the CLC.
"I'm hoping to surprise some people this year, especially if Luke and Aden do what they need to do and we get a couple guys to trickle in each event," Kuehn said. "I think we're right there."
The Willmar Cardinals are returning five of their six golfers from last year's team, excluding graduated senior Anthony Cellini.
The Willmar Cardinals finished in fourth place at the Monticello Invitational held at Monticello Country Club.
Head coach Joe Kuehn expressed optimism, stating that the team is 'about seven deep' and aims to surprise people this season.
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