Udovich and Hanneman Named 2025 Mr. and Ms. Minnesota Golf

MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. – Just two days before the start of the final high school golf championship of their careers, Cretin-Derham Hall High School’s Sam Udovich and Orono High School’s Ava Hanneman earned Mr. and Ms. Minnesota Golf honors during a ceremony Sunday at Windsong Farm Golf Club.

Udovich and Hanneman were selected by a committee of high school coaches and amateur golf representatives to recognize the state’s top senior golfers based on their performance on the course, academic achievement and strength of character.

“I’m honored to have won and was a little nervous leading up to it and the uncertainty of what to expect,” said Hanneman, who will make her fifth appearance at the Class AAA championship next week. “My head was kind of spinning, but I’m really excited and happy with the achievement—this is what I’ve been working for.”

“I was honestly pretty surprised,” Udovich said Sunday. “I didn’t have a speech planned because I didn’t think I would get chosen. Going into state [next week], I feel like I have even a little bit more confidence, so I’m excited.”

Along with the award, Udovich and Hanneman earn playing privileges at Windsong Farm for the remainder of the 2025 golf season.

Udovich, who is committed to playing collegiately at Texas Christian University this fall, finished the 2025 campaign with a scoring average of 70.7, third-best in the state.

In 11 events this season, Udovich never placed worse than 10th while earning four victories, including the 4AAA Section Championship, posting an opening-round and season-low 64 to help him qualify for his fifth consecutive state championship.

Prior to transferring to Cretin-Derham Hall for his sophomore season, Udovich placed fourth individually at the Class AA championship in 2021 as an individual to close out his first varsity season as an eighth grader at St. Croix Lutheran.

The following year, Udovich posted back-to-back rounds of 1-under 71 to claim medalist honors at Ridges at Sand Creek.

Udovich placed in a tie for third at last year’s championship at Bunker Hills.

“The last few years kind of went by in a blur and this is probably the best way to go out as I could’ve,” Udovich said. “The last couple of years have been disappointing for me and my teammates, but we have one last chance this year and I think this is the year to do it.

“Crazy to think it’ll be the last couple of times on the course with my teammates because the last three years have gone by so quick, so I’m going to stop a couple moments, look around and enjoy it knowing it’s my last state tournament. Excited for the next chapter.”

Hanneman finished on top of all state golfers this season by posting a 70.1 scoring average over nine rounds, winning all but one event.

Her best performance of the season came at the Maple Grove Invite at Rush Creek Golf Club, firing a 9-under 63 to claim a nine-stroke victory.

Hanneman opened the 2AAA Section Championship with a 4-under 68 at Ridges at Sand Creek, following it with a 1-under 71 to win by five strokes.

“I’m going to go out and have fun, enjoy the weather, course and the people I’m playing with,” Hanneman said looking forward to the state tournament Tuesday. “One final hurrah and hopefully end on a high note.”

As an eighth-grader, Hanneman finished tied for 23rd at the 2021 Class AAA championship before finishing 33rd the following season.

Hanneman closed out her sophomore season by placing fifth at Bunker Hills in 2023 and notched her second straight top-5 finish last year when she finished tied for third.

Continuing her playing career at Furman University in South Carolina this fall, Hanneman said Sunday that she hopes to continue to develop as a player, while having the ability to practice and compete year-round on top caliber courses across the country.

The Class A, AA and AAA state championships begin Tuesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club, Ridges at Sand Creek and Bunker Hills Golf Club.