David Bauer didn’t have a teammate on the course at the MSHSL Class AAA State Golf Meet, but he didn’t walk it alone. The Hastings sophomore, the Raiders’ lone state qualifier this year, had support lining the fairways at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids. His teammates and family made the trip to cheer him on from the gallery, and Bauer delivered a performance that made the whole program proud.
Over two days of play, Bauer showed composure, competitiveness, and flashes of strong potential. He posted rounds of 76 and 77 for a two-day total of 153, finishing at +9 on a course that demanded precision and patience.
Bauer opened the tournament with a steady 76, playing smart and avoiding big mistakes. He was three-over on the front nine and even-par on the back, including a solid run of pars down the stretch that gave him a confident finish. His putting stood out in the opening round, helping him stay in contention despite some approach shots not landing as close to the pin as he would’ve liked.
Day two flipped the script. Bauer dialed in his iron play and hit more greens in regulation, but his short game wasn’t quite as sharp. Still, he battled. A front-nine 41 had him scrambling early, but he steadied the ship with a strong back-nine 36 to close out the tournament.
Head Coach Matt Klein noted the shift in Bauer’s play from round one to round two. “On day one, David was having some challenges getting close to the pin, but his putting was on fire,” Klein said. “Day two it was the opposite, he was great getting close to the pin, but his short game was just a little off.”
Despite the mix of results, Bauer’s poise never wavered. His game wasn’t flashy, but it was dependable. He managed pressure moments well, avoided blowups, and finished strong. That kind of performance is especially impressive for a sophomore making his first appearance at the state level.
Adding to the challenge was the quality of the field. Cretin-Derham Hall senior Sam Udovich captured the individual state title with a dazzling two-day score of 134, finishing ten-under par and posting rounds of 66 and 68. It was elite competition, and Bauer held his own.
Off the course, Bauer soaked up the experience. With teammates cheering him on from outside the ropes, he carried the Hastings banner with quiet confidence. He took every shot seriously, stayed focused, and played with maturity beyond his years.
With two more seasons of high school golf ahead, Bauer’s state debut looks like a launching point. He’s already proven he belongs, and this week gave him a glimpse of what’s possible. As far as the rest of the Raiders, golf is a finicky sport, and the hopes are to see more of his teammates on the links for the state tournament.
As the only Raider at the state meet this year, David Bauer played solo, but thanks to his teammates, coaches, and his own strong mindset, he never played alone.