Girls take 15th at State Class B Golf
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
The Watford City varsity girls golf team capped off its 2016 season with a 15th place finish at the State Class B Girls Golf Tournament. The tournament, which was played at Carrington’s CrossRoad Golf Course on May 31 and June 1, featured 119 total girls representing 29 schools from around the state.
“There were some concerns that the weather may not cooperate as our team was forced to quit their practice round on Monday after just six holes due to lightning,” stated Mitch Greenwood, Wolves’ head coach. “Fortunately, despite severe thunderstorms all throughout Monday night, the skies remained overcast all day on Tuesday, but no rain fell during the first round.
The opening round cool and windy conditions weren’t to Watford City’s liking as the Wolves struggled on the course. Abby McCauley led the way for the Wolves carding a 27 over par score of 99 to put her in 33rd place after the first round, while Kendra Foreman finished in 54th place with a 106.
Rounding out Watford City’s scoring for the first day of the tournament was Jayden Uhlich, 115, which placed her in 83rd place, while Peyton Blotsky contributed the fourth score of 129 to finish the day. Olivia Gronos and Iida Lehto rounded out the team with scores of 132 and 135, respectively.
“Cool, windy weather was not completely ideal, but the girls stayed dry,” stated Coach Greenwood on the Wolves’ 15th place standing after the first day. “Unfortunately, I think nerves got the better of a few of our girls that first day.”
While conditions on the course remained cool and windy on the second day, Watford City’s girls improved their scores from the first day.
Kendra Foreman, who drained a 25-foot putt from the fringe on Hole 18 on the first round, picked up where she left off as she shot a 94, which was the 15th best score of the day, while Abby McCauley was close behind shooting a 96, which was 19th best overall for the day.
Iida Lehto made the biggest improvement shooting more than 20 strokes better than her first day score and shooting her lowest round of the season, while Peyton Blotsky also bested her previous low round of the season by one stroke.
Olivia Gronos had a highlight reel shot by chipping in on Hole 16 from off the green.
“When all was said and done, the girls remained in 15th place overall as a team,” stated Greenwood. “However, Abby McCauley moved up into 29th place and Kendra Foreman moved up to 36th place to lead the way for the Wolves.”
Emily St. Aubin, a seventh grader from South Border helped her team win the team title as she was tied for the lead after day one and held on for the individual state championship by edging out Hazen’s Bethany Leier for medalist honors.
Region 6 Senior Athlete of the Year, Sierra Rensch of New Town was the only top-10 All-State player from the region. The Eagles from New Town were the highest Region 6 placing team with a ninth place finish at State.