Maybe the best word to describe the Class 4A girls state golf tournament is atypical.
Gypsum’s Cotton Ranch Club is a far cry from the old- style country club designs the Colorado High School Activities Association usually picks for state tournaments.
The Pete Dye layout, which will play at 5,813 yards, will be a test of stamina (being a mountain course), accuracy and shot-making ability.
“We spent six hours on the course (Saturday), marking it with the Colorado Women’s Golf Association, and it really gave me the appreciation for how straight you really have to hit it,” Cotton Ranch golf professional Sean Riley said. “But I think we’ve done a nice job of trying to make it fair for all the players.”
The front side appears to be more demanding, putting an emphasis on club selection. The big hitters will have scoring chances on the par-5 fourth and sixth holes. The real challenge, according to Riley, could come at No. 7. The 351-yard par 4 gives the big hitters the option of letting loose and setting up a short iron to the green or laying up and playing a mid-iron.
“You go even a little bit left and you’re either in the bushes or more than likely you will have to re-tee,” Riley said. “We’ll be looking at that hole very closely (today).”
Perhaps one of the most scenic holes in the state awaits the players on the par-3 eighth. At 151 yards, it doesn’t appear to be the most daunting shot, but add a 130-foot drop to the green and the premium on club selection becomes that much greater.
“I liked the course a lot, but it’s definitely one where you have to hit the ball straight,” reigning champion Ashley Tait of Mullen said. “It’s a much narrower course on the front nine, and it’s not like you can pull driver and just hit away, you really have to be smart.”
Tait and her Mullen teammates, Maggie Boberg, Sasha Podolak and Jennifer Ingrum, will be aiming to make it a 4A-best five straight team titles.
“It’s just as much fun to win it as a team as it is individually,” said Tait, who graduated Sunday. “I really enjoyed both equally as much last year.”
Mullen is not alone in the team chase. Cheyenne Mountain and Pueblo South should be nipping at the Mustangs’ heels come Tuesday afternoon. The Indians – with medalist hopeful Karen Wanersdorfer, as well as Leslie Simonton, Annika Amundson and Gabby Reed – were second to Mullen last season.
Pueblo South also has a potential champion with Sarah Ruybalid, who will play with Tait and Wanersdorfer today. Domenique Nardini, Amanda Bregar and Meagan Chapman round out the Colts’ foursome.
Other potential challengers include Andrea Watts (Kent Denver), Dawn Shockley (Estes Park), Cecilia Silfverskiold (Evergreen), Stefanie Ferguson (Broomfield), Kristin Walla (Aspen) and Cierra Ko (Harrison).
PAIRINGS
At Cotton Ranch Club, Gypsum
5,813 yards, par 72
First tee
8:30 a.m. – Ashley Tait, Mullen; Karen Wanersdorfer, Cheyenne Mountain; Sarah Ruybalid, Pueblo South.
8:39 – Domenique Nardini, Pueblo South; Maggie Boberg, Mullen; Leslie Simonton, Cheyenne Mountain.
8:48 – Amanda Bregar, Pueblo South; Sasha Podolak, Mullen; Annika Amundson, Cheyenne Mountain.
8:57 – Meagan Chapman, Pueblo South; Jennifer Ingrum, Mullen; Gabby Reed, Cheyenne Mountain.
9:06 – Katie Hardman, Fleming; Jacy Reynolds, Glenwood Springs; Kylie Napikoski, Pine Creek.
9:15 – Shayna Godfrey, Fleming; Kammie Ivie, Glenwood Springs; Jessica Shuck, Pine Creek.
9:24 – Kelsey Triplette, Fleming; Emily Hauptli, Glenwood Springs; Gabrielle Tomaselli, Pine Creek.
9:33 – Alicia Hayhurst, Cañon City; Lisa Richards, Glenwood Springs; Dana Anderson, Mountain View.
9:42 – Jamie Patrick, Cañon City; Ali Browder, Gunnison; Kristin Nugent, Thompson Valley.
9:51 – Brandi Watkins, Cañon City; Miki Loschke, Grand Valley; Cassie Dixon, Trinidad.
10:00 – Sharde Albers, Ralston Valley; Codi Hegg, Manitou Springs; Courtney Burgan, Liberty.
10:09 – Emily Hill, Yuma; Abby Laverenz, Burlington; Kris Zeschin, Kent Denver.
10th tee
8:30 a.m. – Andrea Watts, Kent Denver; Dawn Shockley, Estes Park; Cecilia Silfverskiold, Evergreen.
8:39 – Stefanie Ferguson, Broomfield; Kristin Walla, Aspen; Cierra Ko, Harrison.
8:48 – Rachel Saunders, D’Evelyn; Teresa Schlomer, Windsor; Janean Jubic, Pueblo West.
8:57 – Rachel Means, Florence; Elizabeth Lyons, Pueblo County; Charlotte Mason, Broomfield.
9:06 – Katie Taylor, Sand Creek; Monte Clevenger, South; Amber Trimble, Pueblo West.
9:15 – Meghan Innes, Moffat County; Emma Watson, Cedaredge; Ashley Chastain, Rifle.
9:24 – Megan Faucett, Alamosa; Lisa Jones, Pueblo East; Heather Hansen, Cherokee Trail.
9:33 – Heather Miller, Alamosa; Courtney Davis, Battle Mountain; Melissa Johnson, Fort Morgan.
9:42 – Sara Marks, Conifer; Sarah Stratton, Evergreen; Tori Ybarra, Ralston Valley.
9:51 – Courtney Engle, D’Evelyn; Erica Ring, Battle Mountain; Kaeli West, Windsor.
10:00 – Kacie Cain, Salida; Becky Nichols, Del Norte; Lisa Glueck, Conifer.
10:09 – Kylin Fisher, Liberty; Amanda Brodin, Elizabeth; Trista Brown, Westminster.
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
