Full Breakdown
Will Roiland Captures 2026 Minnesota AAA Boys' Golf State Title in Dramatic Finish
6/11/2026, 11:08:28 PM
The Final Showdown: Roiland vs. Birdwell
The final round of the 2026 Minnesota boys' AAA state tournament boiled down to a duel between Elk River junior Will Roiland and Spring Lake Park’s Chase Birdwell. Roiland entered the day one stroke behind the leader; Birdwell started three strokes back but led most of the round. On the 18th, Roiland needed a bogey putt to tie and made it, while Birdwell required a par to force a playoff and missed, leaving Roiland the champion.
Tournament Background and Rankings
The AAA division is a Minnesota high-school golf classification. Roiland entered the state tournament as the second-ranked junior. Birdwell’s pre-tournament ranking was not detailed in the sources.
Profiles of the Contenders
- Will Roiland (Elk River) – Junior who began playing after being babysat by high-school teammates at age five, pursued a decade-long goal to win the state title.
- Chase Birdwell (Spring Lake Park) – Junior who entered the final round three strokes behind, briefly led, and fell short on the last hole.
Round-by-Round Timeline
Day 1: Roiland finished one stroke off the lead. Final round: Birdwell rose three strokes, led most of the day. 18th hole: Roiland bogeyed to tie; Birdwell missed par, ending the event.
Scores and Critical Moments
Roiland needed a bogey on the final hole to stay level; Birdwell’s missed par would have forced a playoff. The swing from a three-stroke deficit to a lead and back highlighted the round’s volatility.
Significance of the Victory
Roiland’s win fulfills a decade-long personal goal, from early mentorship to state champion. The victory highlights the competitive nature of the AAA tournament and the mental pressure of championship golf.
Official Tournament Summary
Tournament officials called the final day a “two-man bout,” noting the narrow margin separating champion and runner-up and the decisive closing holes.
Verbatim Quotes from the Champion
- “I’m feeling really good. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s just surreal.” — Will Roiland, Elk River junior
- “Roller coaster. I don’t know if I hit a single green, it was just straight up and downs.” — Will Roiland
- “Last hole was a roller coaster, but I’m glad I minimized the damage and I’m walking away with a win.” — Will Roiland
- “Ever since getting babysat by the high school kids that were on the team when I was like five or six years old and they were dreaming of it. Since then, it’s just an amazing feeling.” — Will Roiland
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All available sources present a consistent account of the final round; no contradictory statistics or alternative narratives were identified.
