When the Minnesota men’s golf team tees up for the first time in the fall, it will return every member of the 2019 Big Ten Championship lineup from the spring. However, one new face will hope to break onto the scene — Connor Glynn.
Glynn, who began his quest for a Minnesota state championship on Tuesday June 11, is a recently graduated senior representing Waconia High School and soon-to-be Gopher. Glynn was named 2019 Mr. Minnesota Golf by the Minnesota Golf Association on Sunday June 9.
“I got off to a slower start this year,” Glynn said. “I feel like, as the courses became better with the weather, I started playing better as sections rolled around and leading into the state tournament I feel a lot better with my game.”
After his slow start to the season, Glynn put in work to improve his game and his future coach at the University of Minnesota, Justin Smith, said he noticed. Smith has scouted Glynn since he was a freshman in high school and said he has seen Glynn consistently improve throughout his high school career.
“He’s been absolutely striking the golf ball,” Smith said. “He’s worked his tail off, and that’s a huge reason why we’re excited to have him on campus.”
Waconia struggled out of the gate this season, but a strong second-half surge landed them an opportunity to compete in the 2019 3A state tournament at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
Now, he’s looking to make his mark as a state champion before starting his collegiate career at Minnesota in the fall. The last Gopher recruit to win the Minnesota state high school league championship as an individual was John Dutoit in 2012.
In his opening round on Tuesday, Glynn shot a two-under-par 70, tying for first place. Glynn is in the last pairing for the final round on Wednesday. Waconia is tied for second in the team competition. The team shot nine-over-par, five shots behind the leaders, St. Thomas Academy.
“It would mean everything,” he said. “As a team we’ve been talking about it for years now, and we’ve been working really hard to get there.”
Glynn entered the tournament hoping to enjoy himself in his final high school tournament for Waconia.
“I always remind myself that it is just a game and that I can’t put too much pressure on myself. If you try too hard, then it just goes the opposite way. You’ve just got to go out there and relax.”
Coach Smith echoed that it’s crucial to not put too much pressure on a young golfer. However, he believes that Glynn’s demeanor and skill gives him a fantastic chance to finish off his high school career in style.
“He’s as good at his age as I’ve seen; his patience, his discipline, his ability to accept what’s in front of him,” Smith said. “He’ll be ready to go.”
The Gophers have never had a Mr. Minnesota Golf recipient call the University of Minnesota their home, and Smith hopes that it will be a positive impact on the program moving forward.
“It’s what we saw in him,” he said. “He possesses all those things that separate the great from the good. Hes got all of the qualities, even as an incoming freshman, to be a leader in his own way. It’s very exciting.”
