Clouds hung in the sky above the Cobble Creek Golf Club and rain beat down throughout much of the day. Many of the greens were soggy and at times, the wind howled.
The adverse conditions did not appear to affect Kiselya Plewe however, as the junior fired a one–under–par round of 73 to finish first at the Class 4A Western Region Golf Tournament in Montrose on May 5..
“My tee shots were great and I had some good chips,” Plewe said. “My approach shots were a little bit off, but I put it together and made the best out of it.”
Among the keys to Plewe’s victory was a terrific first three holes that saw the junior par her opening hole and birdying the par–five second and paring the par–three third.
Things briefly came undone for Plewe on the fourth and fifth hole, which ended with three–putt bogies.
“I lost my swing for a couple of holes,” said Plewe. “I decided not to go for it on a couple of holes and left it out to the right. That’s where I missed for sure.”
After paring the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes, Plewe began the back nine at one–over par.
Rifle High School freshman Elly Walters set the pace on the front nine with an even par score that was highlighted by consistent putting.
Momentum swung on the 12th hole, when Walters ended up with a triple bogey after hitting the ball into two separate water hazards. Plewe avoided those hazards pared the 12th to take a two shot lead just as rain began pouring down.
“The weather was really rough,” said Plewe. “I don’t think I had played in rain like that for a while.”
Over the next five holes, Plewe continued to smash long drives down Cobble Creek’s wet fairways and although she scored a bogie on the par–four 14th hole, Plewe walked to the final tee box with a six shot lead.
On the 292–yard par–four 18th, Plewe drilled her drive within 15–yards of the pin before chipping to within two feet and tapping in for birdie. With the birdie, Plewe finished her round one over par.
“That final birdie gives me so much confidence going into the next tournament,” Plewe said. “it was a great way to finish out the day.”
Shortly after the conclusion of her round, Plewe walked off the 18th green and embraced her mother, Monica, who drove to Montrose to watch her daughter play.
“(Winning) feels great,” Plewe said. “I love this course and I’m just glad that I put a good round together today. It was fun.”
Thanks to her top finish at Regionals, Plewe will now have the opportunity to play in the Class 4A State Tournament, which will take place at the River Valley Ranch Golf Club in Carbondale, May 18–19.
“I’m definitely going to sharpen up my irons and get m 100–yards and in game very sharp,” Plewe said. “I’m hoping to place well at state.”