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Irondale Invite at the TPC Course

The Chisago Lakes girls golf team opened their season with a prestigious 18-hole tournament last week, and although they struggled through the meet, it will serve to aid them over the course of the season.

"This was a great opportunity for our girls to play such a challenging course, although it was a scary way to start for some," Head Coach Jeanne Hawkinson said.

The girls finished 19th out of 20 teams, with a 454. Hawkinson said that was much higher than even she wanted for their first 18-hole round.

Krista Liebsch came in as the top scorer for the Wildcats, carding a 94. "She showed why she is our number one player," Hawkinson said of the senior.

Sam Nelson and Sadie Williamson both shot 116s, Rachel Swanson shot a 128 and Aubrey Lawlor carded a 133.

Betsy Kelly of Forest Lake was the individual champion of the meet with a 71, and Minnewaska won the team event, carding a 336.

NSC Meet at Chisago Lakes Golf Course

The girls recouped to play another nine the next day, but this time, they got to do it at their own course. Being able to tee off at the Chisago Lakes Golf Course gave the Wildcats the advantage knowing the course and the approach shots much better than their opponents.

"I was pleased with how the girls played," Hawkinson noted. "The really bounced back after Monday."

Liebsch again carded the lowest score for the Wildcats, coming in with a 47. Williamson took advantage of the home course and shot a great score of 49. Rachel Swanson came in with a very solid 52, and Nelson carded a 54 to round out the varsity team's top scorers.

The combined score of 202 put the Wildcats in third place in the conference meet, right where they wanted to be. "It felt good for us to be back on track," Hawkinson said. "I was happy for the girls because we came in third, which was better than any of us were expecting, even on our home course."

Lawlor and first time varsity golfer Sara Sontag both had respectable scores also in the fifth and sixth spots. Lawlor had a 57 while Sontag shot a 65.

Irondale dominated the meet, winning with a 177. Spring Lake Park was the next closest squad, shooting a 194. The Wildcats rounded out the top three.

"This was a great start to our conference season," Hawkinson mentioned "Our goal was to be middle of the pack, and we surpassed that goal. But, it's early, and there are a lot of holes to play in the next four to five weeks."

That includes an afternoon tee time today at the Robbinsdale Cooper course at 1:45, as well as a Monday, April 27 conference meet. Although it's early, the Wildcats think they can keep up with those top teams in the conference now, and they might be staying in that top three to five the whole season. It wouldn't be a surprise with their talented golfers.

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