After losing a pair of matches Monday, the Northwestern High School girls golf team was determined to rebound at the Superior Invitational held at Nemadji Golf Course Tuesday.
"The girls, disappointed with the results from (Monday's) match, went up to Superior (Monday) night and practiced for hours at the chipping and putting green," NHS coach Stacy Burfield said. "They knew they could do better and were determined to shave strokes off their short game. (Tuesday) those lost strokes made all the difference, as it was a close match all the way to the final golfer."
The Tigers' extra practice paid off as NHS won the meet with a team score of 373. Spooner, which had bested the Tigers Monday, finished second with a 373.
The Superior High School golf team was the other team to defeat NHS Monday, but the Spartans couldn't replicate the effort on their home course. Superior was unable to post a team score after Allison Gotelaere withdrew before finishing her round because of the flu and Cassie Berg was disqualified for a rules violation.
"I need to find more time to review the rules in depth with the girls because there are situations when competitors misinterpret the rules," SHS coach Dan Schulz said. "As their coach, I take full responsibility. I will attempt to make sure it doesn't happen in future events."
ADVERTISEMENT
Chetek also failed to post a team score as only three golfers were in attendance for the team.
Individually, both the Tigers and the Spartans found success Tuesday. Northwestern's Taylor Prior was the meet medalist with an 85, and Morgan Morris carded an 87 to claim second place for SHS.
"Morgan played great golf," Schulz said. "She held the lead for the majority of the day."
Morgan surrendered the lead after getting caught underneath the lip of a fairway bunker on No. 15. It took her three shots to recover and she ended with a triple bogey 8 on the hole. Morgan recovered though and managed to hold on to the second spot.
"I was pleased to see her finish strong after the tough break in the bunker on No. 15," Schulz said.
For Prior, her medalist performance is what Burfield has been expecting of the NHS junior. Burfield said Prior has always been capable of shooting in the low 40s but hasn't been doing it consistently this season.
"I applaud her extra efforts on the practice green last night with companion Heidi Anttila," Burfield said. "They've been friends since they were small and have a great working relationship where they push each other to the next level. They both had a good showing of their ability today. I'm proud of their hard work and look forward to seeing what they will continue to do throughout the season."
The extra evening of practice at Nemadji certainly seemed to pay off for both golfers. Anttila finished tied for sixth overall with a score of 91.
ADVERTISEMENT
Just ahead of Anttila in individual scoring was Superior's Janelle Strewler, who shot a 90 for fifth place.
"I am very pleased with the way Janelle is playing," Schulz said. "This was her third consecutive solid performance. She is really establishing herself as a leader on this team with her consistent play."
Anne Tracy had another consistent effort for SHS with a 102, and Hayley Botten stepped up in the No. 5 spot for NHS by shaving four strokes from her front nine. Burfield said she was very impressed by Botten's composure throughout the day.
The Spartans are at Bloomer at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The Tigers are at Barron on Sept. 4.
Superior Invitational results
Team scores
1. Northwestern, 370; 2. Spooner, 373; 3. Hayward, 380; 4. Ladysmith, 412; 5. Cumberland, 436; 6. Bloomer, 470; 7. Barron, 480; 8. Chetek, DNF; 8. Superior, DNF.
Individual scores
ADVERTISEMENT
1. Taylor Prior, Northwestern, 85; 2. Morgan Morris, Superior, 87; 3. Alyssa Gostonczik, Spooner, 89; 3. Ranae Ricci, Cumberland, 89; 5. Janelle Strewler, Superior, 90; 6. Sara Stiles, Spooner, 91; 6. Heidi Anttila, Northwestern, 91; 6. Acacia Crow, Hayward, 91; 6. Britt Adams, Hayward, 91; 10. Amanda Frankiewicz, Spooner, 93.
Northwestern results
Taylor Prior, 45-40 -- 85; Heidi Anttila, 45-46 -- 91; Brandi Paulson, 50-51 -- 101; Emily Stauty, 45-51 -- 96; Hayley Botten, 51-47 -- 98.
Superior results
Morgan Morris, 87; Janelle Strewler, 90; Anne Tracy, 102.
