Kiselya Plewe and Kaitlyn Howerton have golfed since they could hold clubs, so the two Dolores High School students were ecstatic Tuesday when the Dolores School Board of Education agreed to add girls golf to the list of sports offered at the high school.
“It was really exciting,” Plewe said.
Plewe has been golfing in competitions since she was 8 years old and the freshman in high school already has her sights set on a scholarship.
She told the board Tuesday night that if the school didn’t offer golf, then she would have to golf for the nearest girls golf team in Durango.
A few male students that attend Dolores High School already golf for the Cortez team, but Cortez doesn’t offer girls golf. The Dolores School Board said they did not plan to offer boys golf.
The board pledged $2,000 to get the team started, which will begin in the spring.
“The idea we had is to try to create more athletic opportunities for girls,” said Dolores School District Superintendent Scott Cooper. “We’ve been heavy with the boy sports over the years.”
Monica Plewe, a big supporter of the program, said that the sport can be open to any level.
“There is no experience necessary,” she said. “This is a lifelong sport.”
Her daughter, Kiselya, said it is a great sport.
“It’s challenging and fun,” she said. “You need to be really, really mentally tough and you have to be in good shape because you walk a lot.”
Monica Plewe said she was thankful to Micha Rudosky for offering the Conquistador Golf Course up for the practicing girls.
Plewe said about five girls are interested in playing and she hopes for more this spring, because students from other schools in the area can choose to sign up because it isn’t offered elsewhere.
In other action at the Dolores School Board meeting Tuesday night, Dolores High School Principal Brandon Thurston talked about a no zero policy that has been implemented, that basically states that if a child turns work in, even if it is late, it can’t be given a zero.
The board also approved the purchase of 20 “concussion proof” helmets for the football players at a cost of $5,000.
For more information on the girls golf team, call the Dolores High school and leave a message for Monica Plewe at 882-7288. In additon, the Conquistador Golf Course will host a fundraiser tournament for the new team on Oct. 20. Those that wish to participate in the tournament can call the golf course at 565-9208.
