The Montezuma-Cortez girls golf team enters the new season with a solid foundation, mirroring the success that the Dolores girls golf program had for a long time.
After a strong campaign last year, in which the Panthers earned their best regional finish and secured eighth-place as a team at the 3A State Championships, expectations are high this season.
Dolores, meanwhile, is excited to return to the fray after plenty of their own state success in the middle part of the 2010s, with the growing Bears athletic programs set to reengage as varsity squads this spring, including the baseball team. The Dolores program will also be led by new coach Cheri Walker.
The Panthers will lean on experienced upperclassmen while welcoming in first-year head coach Jarrett Watkins into the fold, while M-CHS will shift from the 3A to 2A classification.
Junior Amita Crowley will again be a key player for the Panthers. Crowley, who finished 13th at state with a score of 173 (+29), was one of the team’s top performers and will be crucial to their success this year. Having established herself as one of the best players in 3A, she looks to enter each tournament among the top pairings.
Classmate Afton Unrein also made significant strides last season and will play an important role. Unrein earned a 49th-place finish at state with a combined score of 200 (+56) and demonstrated strong improvement from her freshman year. With another season under her belt, she’s ready to continue her development and contribute to the team’s success.
Additionally, the Panthers welcome back senior Erin Lawrence, who made her state debut last year. Lawrence improved significantly on Day 2, lowering her score by nine strokes to finish with a total of 223 (+79). Her continued progress will be key as she adds experience and leadership to the team.
The Panthers golf program continues to operate with healthy numbers, and this year’s squad promises to carry a number of up-and-coming golfers that will make an impact as the orange-and-black seek another strong spring. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Bears had previously combined programs, but will lean on rising interest from both schools to support a pair of 2A squads.
M-CHS and Dolores open up the campaign with a trip to the Grand Valley, where they’ll face a field in Palisade on Monday, March 10. A trip to Delta at Devil’s Thumb (March 24) precedes tournaments in Montrose (April 7-8) and Durango (April 14). The Panthers and Bears will look forward to playing on their shared home course at Conquistador, including home tournaments on back-to-back weeks (M-CHS on April 15 and Dolores on April 22) in preparation for the 2A regional tournaments coming up on May 12 at Hollydot Golf Course.
