(Photos by Jeff Hasselmann) Spencer freshman Jay Monahan floats a chip toward the 17th pin at Lake Creek Country Club Friday, May 9, 2008, during the Tigers' Class 3A Sectional Tournament in Storm Lake. Monahan carded the fourth lowest individual score with an 80 and the Tigers advanced to the district tournament with a 25-stroke win over runner-up Carroll. [Order this photo]

It was business as usual for the Tigers.

The job was pretty simple actually -- win the sectional and advance to districts. The Spencer boys made it look just that easy.

The Tigers checked one thing off their "to do" list Friday, winning Spencer's first sectional title since 2003 -- its 11th since 1970 -- and advancing to the district tournament for the first time in five years with a 25-stroke win over runner-up Carroll at Lake Creek Country Club in Storm Lake.

"Great team effort. I was surprised by the margin of victory, but it just goes to show how much team balance we've got," said Spencer head coach Steve Bomgaars.

"These guys are extremely focused. We're trying to stay focused on one step at a time," Bomgaars added. "This is certainly one step toward the state tournament, but we know we've got a big tournament next Friday down at Carroll in the district."

Spencer won the sectional title with a 314, Carroll shot 339, MOC-Floyd Valley was third with a 341.

Two-time All-Lakes Conference performer and returning district qualifier Michael Clark returned to the top of the leader board Friday, earning tournament medalist honors with a 3-over-par 75.

"I was happy for Michael Clark today. He's really been grinding it out all year. It was nice to see him find his game today in a big tournament," said Bomgaars. "To have the tournament medalist come out of the number three spot in your lineup is pretty amazing."

"He's started to hit fairways and greens consistently plus he putted well today. He's been fighting the putter a little bit this year," Bomgaars added of Clark, a junior.

Joe Clark, Spencer's sixth man and the sophomore brother of Michael Clark, finished with a 6-over-par 78 and was the leader in the clubhouse until Carroll's Kirby Pettitt, who shot a 77, and older brother Michael strolled in.

"Joe had a great round today," Bomgaars said, adding that Clark had three birdies, six pars and nine bogeys.

"The thing that make makes Joe so good is his putting. He only had 26 putts. He only hit five greens, but his putting and chipping were great today.

Spencer junior Michael Clark gives a little fist pump after draining a 7-foot par putt on the par-4 11th hole at Lake Creek Country Club Friday, May 9, 2008, in Storm Lake. Clark earned tournament medalist honors with a 3-over-par 75, leading the Tigers to their first district tournament since 2003. [Order this photo]

"We always say that your team is no better than your sixth golfer," Bomgaars added. "When your sixth man comes through with a 78 and finishes third overall in the tournament, you've got a pretty exceptional team I think."

Spencer freshman Jay Monahan and Carroll's Jace Christensen tied for Friday's fourth lowest score with 80s. Craig Cunningham, a Spencer junior, posted the sixth best score with an 81.

The Tigers also had pair of 84s from Jordan Oltman and Jordan Bates.

The last time Spencer advanced past the sectional tournament was in 2003 -- also the year of Spencer's last sectional championship. The Tigers finished third in the district that year.

Spencer last qualified for state in 1999 when the Tigers finished second at both the sectional and district tournaments.

The Tigers move on to Friday's five-team district tournament at Carroll Country Club. Along with Carroll; Atlantic, Shenandoah and Red Oak will also compete for the two state slots. Atlantic hosted and won its sectional tournament, meaning two additional teams also advance to districts. The same rules applies for the district tournament. Should meet host Carroll finish in the top two, a third team will advance to state. The top four individuals plus ties also qualify for the state golf tournament.

"Our kids just need to focus on the golf course and playing their game," Bomgaars commented. "If we play like we have been all year, things should take care of themselves. The kids like Carroll Country Club. They're comfortable with it, and it fits their game well."

Class 3A Sectional Tournament

(at Lake Creek Country

Club, Storm Lake)

Team Standings

1. Spencer 314, 2. Carroll 339, 3. MOC-Floyd Valley 341, 4. Storm Lake 344, 5. Spirit Lake 348, 6. Le Mars 355, 7. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 366, 8. Estherville-Lincoln Central 387.