Before the start of the prep golf season, Dolores High School head coach Monica Plewe talked about her team’s inexperience while consciously avoiding any talk about results.
But after watching her players compete at the Class 3A Regional 4 Golf Tournament at Battlement Mesa Golf Club, all Plewe could do was gush about the way that her team of first-year high school golfers played.
“They have worked so hard, and to shoot as well as they did on a really tough course was just amazing,” Plewe said. “They are amazing girls, and they all played awesome.”
Setting the pace for the Lady Bears at the tournament on May 8 was freshman Kiara Lingenfelter, who shot a season-best score of 102 and qualified for the state tournament.
“For the fifth year in a row, we have a girl going to state,” Plewe said. “Kiera took really good notes on her yardage book during a practice round that we played, and she completely stuck to her game plan. (Qualifying for state) is an amazing feat.”
Also shooting a season-best score for the Lady Bears was freshman LaBrea Matteson, whose positive attitude stood out throughout the tournament. “LaBrea has the best attitude of anyone that I’ve ever seen on the golf course,” Plewe said. “She’s nice to everybody around her, and she’s always upbeat.”
Other Lady Bears golfers competing in the regional tournament included freshmen Kailey Case, who shot a 126, and Kalli Partington, who shot a 138.
“Kalli is striking the ball so well, and she is so coachable,” Plewe said. “Anything that you ask her to do she practices until she gets it. Kali has this great short game so no matter how many times it takes her to get near the hole, when she’s close, she always has success.”
As a team, the Lady Bears finished with a combined score of 349, which was good enough to place them seventh in the 12-team tournament. Colorado Academy finished first in the region with a score of 243. Rifle finished second with a score of 254.
The 2017 Class 3A State Tournament will take place at the Broadlands Golf Course in Broomfield, Colorado, May 22-23.
A feature story detailing Lingenfelter’s accomplishments is planned for The Journal on May 16.