By Mark Schnabel
Newton Kansan
Sand Creek Station and atypical weather for early September proved to be punishing for the competitors Thursday at the Newton Invitational girls’ golf tournament.
Cool temperatures and high winds led to high scores that frustrated many a player.
Arkansas City won the 11-team field with a team score of 207, followed by Winfield at 212. Andover placed third at 213, beating Hutchinson on the sixth-player tie-breaker 68-69. The two teams were tied at 60 for the fifth score.
Buhler freshman Taryn Torgerson claimed the top medal honors with an 11-over par 47. Torgerson is the daughter of former Hesston High School basketball and golf coach Brennan Torgerson, who now coaches the Crusaders.
“It was very windy,” Taryn Torgerson said. “I had trouble with my driver. The wind kept taking it right. I had to compensate and hit it left. I didn’t haven’t any birdies. I had two pars, which isn’t very good for me. I had few bogeys. I didn’t have any triples. I had a couple doubles. I just had to try to do the best I could. It’s usually pretty hot. It sprinkled a little on the course, but not much.”
Torgerson edged Andover’s Audrey Meisch by one stroke. Kara Koepplin of Hutchinson was third at 49. Five players finished at 50.
The Railers were sixth in the team standings at 237. The Railers were led by Hannah Anderson at 55, four strokes off a medal. Alexa Salsbery shot a 58, followed by Ginny Loeffler at 60, Katie Schmidt at 64, Emily Epp at 63 and Lexi Pauls at 66.
“Last year, the top medal was at 37,” Newton coach Joanie Pauls said. “The kids were ill prepared for this becuase when we first came out here at about 2 p.m., it was still warm and in the 80s. The girls still played well for the conditions we had to play in. For three of our girls, this was our first varsity experienced. I know from watching them, they knew they could cut a few strokes out there. They were hitting the ball well, but they were losing some strokes putting. It’s something I think they can improve on. Hannah shot a 55 for us. I kind of see her as one of our leaders this year. I think she was kind of frustrated at times. Alexa shot a 10 on her first hole, and battled back from there.”
Salsbery had a memorable final shot. Finishing on the ninth hole, she nailed about a 90-foot putt, starting about an inch off the green. The shot hit the flag, bounced up and in.
Newton plays Tuesday at the Salina Central Invitational at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.
Newton Invitational
Thursday
Sand Creek Station
Par 36
1. ARKANSAS CITY (207) — Lacey Tipton 50, Alyssa Lewis 50, Abbi Moulton 55, Jaci Goode 52, Madison McDowell 60, Karli Hoag 70.
2. WINFIELD (212) — Jessie Burtnett 60, Brianna Moore 50, Holly Hottinger 53, Alisha Bratcher 57, Kelsey Estrada 52, Kristian Snell 60.
3. ANDOVER (213-60-68) — Audrey Meisch 48, Krista Horning 55, Katie Hobble 56, Ashley Teinert 54, Maddie Routhier 60, Ariana Moll 68.
4. HUTCHINSON (213-60-69) — Madison Wiles 53, Kare Koepplin 49, Danica Tomlin 51, Mallory Powell 60, Erinn Penny 60, Katie Horning 69.
5. SALINA SOUTH (216) — Lindsay Chapman 55, Chelsie Witt 53, Michaela Nixon 51, Lindsay Eitel 57, Ally Ferguson 59, Brenna Truhe 70.
6. NEWTON (237) — Alexa Salsbery 58, Hannah Anderson 55, Ginny Loeffler 60, Katie Schmidt 64, Emily Epp 63, Lexi Pauls 66.
7. BUHLER (240) — Taryn Torgerson 47, Brittany Crabbs 64, Erin Monaghan 68, Darian Coen 63, Katrina Alexander 72, Miranda McQueen 66.
8. SALINA CENTRAL (253) — Alissa Kim 59, Tessa Jager 65, Shakira Ross 80, Katie Peacock 69, Callie Windholtz 67, Emily Ewing 62.
9. EMPORIA (269) — Amber Mechtley 50, Kim Krueger 69, Kelsey Cheever 72, Savanah Benson 83, Brittany Rees 78.
10. VALLEY CENTER (272) — Karlee Canaday 50, Carly Dickter WD, Kate Hussey 65, Aubrey Scheer 79, Ali Welsh 78.
11. DERBY (294) — Kate English 65, Rachel Thompson 76, Austen Hilt 81, Kayla Oldham 72.
Medalists — 1. Taryn Torgerson Buh. 47, 2. Audrey Meisch And. 48, 3. Kara Koepplin Hut. 49, 4. Karlee Canaday VC 50, 5. Brianna Moore Win. 50, 6. Amber Mechtley Emp. 50, 7. Alyssa Lewis AC 50, 8. Lacey Tipton AC 50, 9. Michaela Nixon SS 51, 10. Danica Tomlin Hut. 51.
