Bjorndahl's Final Putt at State Meet Caps Time at Hillcrest
Erik Bjorndahl arrived at the threshold of his last round of golf with Hillcrest yesterday. With years of formation behind him, he stepped to the tee box at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, Minnesota, as one of the best athletes in Class A golf.
Approaching the 18th hole, it’s easy to imagine Erik's mind flashing back to chapel services, where speakers awakened faith and confidence that steadied him throughout the golf season. Daily times of Bible study formed small habits of conviction that likely cross-trained Erik to be mindful of the simple and seemingly insignificant rhythms and routines that make big moments possible. Big moments lift emotions and inspire one to try things one might otherwise avoid. Erik saw that on his senior mission trip, where he joined classmates to share Christ in the former communist Albania boldly. It was almost as if walking on the final green was a culmination of the incredible spiritual and emotional formation Erik was equipped with in his time at Hillcrest.
Standing putter in hand, Erik took a few practice swings, lining up the putt as he’d done countless times with the Hillcrest crest emblazoned on his shirt. His time leading Hillcrest’s golf team is measured in more than statistics and a state berth. He connected with younger players on their equipment, encouraging them in the game in seemingly simple and fleeting comments. They now carried significant weight as he stood ready to putt, competing as one of the final golfers in Minnesota.
Staring down at the ball, it’s easy to see him concentrating. Was he considering the progress and friendships he forged at Hillcrest? His family, standing on the sideline as they have done for years, encouraging Erik, stood in silence. He addressed the ball with a gentle tap of his club.
The ball gently rose over the hole's rim before the silence broke with a pleasant thud as the ball dropped out of sight. Erik lifted his cap, the air catching his hair as he walked toward his competition with his hand outstretched to congratulate them on a successful season.
In closing, Erik’s final putt, he capped his final experience at Hillcrest and thus closes the 2023 school experience for so many Hillcrest students. While some may find purpose or meaning in the big events of high school and graduation, Erik leaves the golf course like many students at Hillcrest. His progress and success will be remembered in the big moments, notably finishing 37th in the State of Minnesota’s class A state golf meet. His final tournament line may be recalled in future conversations, where he shot an 80-84 for a score of 164, but the effects of his training at Hillcrest, where his faith was reinforced, habits were built, and knowledge was attained to remind him of his life of eternal significance, are what we will see moving forward.