Go long and stay straight; that is the way to win state. And that is a world of difference from last season’s Class 4A girls state golf tournament.
The two-day event moved from Gypsum’s Cotton Ranch Golf Club, which featured a back nine that could make a touring pro weep, to Pueblo’s Elmwood Golf Course, a more straightforward municipal course that opened in 1940. That should keep the scores low for the 36-hole tournament, which starts today.
“The course is definitely easier than last year, but there is some tree trouble, and the rough can chew you up in some places,” Pueblo East coach Bruce Beller said of the layout, which will play at 5,800 yards for the state tournament.
He added, “But I can see some good scores coming out of this.”
Kent Denver’s Andrea Watts, the top returning finisher from last season, can be considered among the favorites, but her Sun Devils team could make the biggest splash.
Only a few years ago, Kent Denver nearly dropped its girls golf program because of lack of players, but coach Marcy Bog- ner battled for its survival and is sending a team of four to state for the first time.
Watts, a sophomore, and freshman Olivia Garard are the Sun Devils’ top two, and freshman Grace Duboc and senior Kris Zeschin make for a formidable foursome.
“I think my girls have a shot,” Bogner said. “Olivia is so calm and cool for a freshman, and she can hold her own. Andrea has played a little more tournament golf this season, and if she makes a mistake she can rebound on the next shot, let alone the next hole. She can go bogey, bogey and then follow with birdie, birdie, birdie with an eagle thrown in there.”
Mullen cannot be counted out. The Mustangs have won the past five 4A team titles, and junior Maggie Boberg will try to give Mullen its fifth individual title in six years. Ashley Tait won three titles, including the past two, before graduating.
A number of Pueblo area golfers also will contend.
Pueblo South’s Amanda Bregar and Megan Chapman have been playing well all season and should benefit from competing on their home course. Sisters Ashlee and Bryanne Samuels will try to push the Colts to a team title.
Pueblo West’s Janean Jubic and Amber Trimble should run with the leaders, and Florence’s Rachel Means is fresh off a round of 72 at regionals.
4A girls state golf championship
Where: Elmwood Golf Course, 3900 Thatcher Ave., Pueblo. (Interstate 25 to U.S. 50, west to Pueblo Boulevard, south to Thatcher Avenue).
When: Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., 24 groups of three golfers each.
