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Two Pipestone Area Schools golfers earned their way onto the boys and girls all-Big South Conference squads, respectively.
The teams were officially released on Thursday, June 12, by Big South Conference league secretary and Redwood Valley High School activities director Andy Ourada.
“It was one of my goals this season,” said PAS junior Matt DeBates, who aspires to play collegiate-level golf, of making the all-Big South boys team.
“This shows me I can compete with the rest of the guys in the league,” DeBates added.
Pipestone Area Schools’ golfer Matt DeBates tees off during a regular-season quadrangular from mid-April at Pipestone Country Club. DeBates was the lone Arrow boy to receive all-Big South Conference honors. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
DeBates was the lone Arrow to reach the second round of the Minnesota State High School League Section 3AA Tournament at Oakdale Golf Club in rural Buffalo Lake.
He placed 16th overall with a 13-over par 157 spread over May 21 and May 28, which included three second-round birdies.
According to statistics gleaned from the iWanamaker website, DeBates has scored 34 birdies and parred 195 holes across all tournaments during his scholastic career.
DeBates said he’s improved upon putting the most, with an extended stretch of pars during the Section 3AA Tournament.
Vivian Brockberg became the first golfer of either gender to qualify for the MSHSL Class AA state tournament since Braxton Thompson (2023).
Pipestone Area Schools’ Vivian Brockberg tees off during the Class AA state tournament at The Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan on Wednesday, June 11. Brockberg was named an all-Big South Conference selection. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
“It was a really good year for her,” PAS head girls coach Grant Everson said of Brockberg’s recognition. “It’s her dedication and the hard work she has put in.”
The all-league honors for DeBates and Brockberg were based on the accumulation of success through a special points system.
Brockberg’s length off the tee is unquestioned, and she lowered her scores during the 2025 season through improved chipping and other “short game elements.”
During the Class AA Tournament (The Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan) on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10-11, Brockberg scored an opening-round 91 — with six pars and 10 bogeys. She capped off the back nine with a par on the 416-yard 18th hole.
Brockberg parred two holes and bogeyed eight others in the second round (100 for a two-day 191). Per iWanamaker, she has posted six birdies and 99 pars.
The Big South Conference. (Contributed graphic from the Big South Conference)
INFORMATION
BOYS GOLF
All-Big South Conference
Overall champion: St. Peter
Gold Division champion: Blue Earth Area
Award winners
Matt DeBates, Pipestone Area; Owen Matejcek, St. Peter; Luke Ehlers, Marshall; Elijah Winn, Marshall; Kade Mata, St. Peter; Ethan Moreau, St. Peter; Deacon Wing, Marshall; Eli Blagg, Blue Earth Area; Will Bergman, Luverne; Tavin Miller, Jackson County Central; Jaxon Buegler, New Ulm, Hunter Anderson, Waseca; Brandt Munson, New Ulm; Mallachi Domagala, Luverne; Brecken Neuman, New Ulm; Kalvin Barfknecht, St. Peter; Isaiah Homrighausen, St. Peter; and Cole Becker, Blue Earth Area
GIRLS GOLF
All-Big South Conference
Overall champion: Marshall
Gold Division champion: Blue Earth Area
Award winners
Vivian Brockberg, Pipestone Area; Katelyn Storbeck, Blue Earth Area; Dayton Webskowski, Marshall; Leslie Zarling, Fairmont; Madison Rasche, Waseca; Claire Meyer, Worthington; Katherine Zelaya, Fairmont; Ada Lund, Windom Area; Rachel Mohr, Jackson County Central; Carly Gustafson, Fairmont; Claire Mahlberg, Worthington; Ingrid Mostad, Luverne; Ali Lund, Windom Area; Ava Schutz, Worthington; Anna Thor, Marshall; Macie Edstrom, Luverne; and Ali Pederson, Marshall