While one strong individual performance can help carry a golf team through a tournament, it takes a balanced full-team effort to have success on a weekly basis.
The Panthers girls golf team seems to have found that formula, putting together one of the most complete team efforts in program history on their home course to land a top-three spot in a talented field.
Hosting a field full of state-qualifying talent from the Western Slope and northwest New Mexico, the Panthers more than held their own, as three individuals placed in the top 10 to lead M-CHS to a team score of 271, just four strokes behind runner-up Durango.
Four Panthers shot below 100 in the blustery conditions, taking advantage of a collectively steady short game to generate the strong team effort. Leading the way, junior Chesnie Patrick blistered the back nine with three birdies on her way to a team-best 89.
Patrick took eighth overall, while senior Ashlyn Hall came in just a stroke behind, posting a personal-best round of 90 to claim ninth.
Freshmen Amita Crowley and Afton Unrein also put together solid rounds, as Crowley shot a steady round of 92, while Unrein birdied her third hole of the day on the way to a 99.
“They’ve really been impressive,” said second-year head coach Travis Wright of his two first-year players. “When our team has been challenged by tough conditions, we’ve been able to hang tough.”
Senior Anna Lawrence rounded out the Panthers performances with a 120, as M-CHS bested perennial 4A state qualifiers Montrose, along with 3A regional foes Alamosa, Gunnison, and Monte Vista. After averaging team scores around 300 in last year’s state qualifying campaign, the Panthers hope that more consistent play like they enjoyed on Conquistador could lift the program into the top 10 in the 3A field.
New Mexico 5A powerhouse Piedra Vista won the team title with a score of 245, led by state title hopeful Annie Yost’s round of 75. Durango claimed second with a score of 267, paced by senior Zayda Mestas’ 85.
The Panthers look forward to a trip to Farmington on Monday, April 24. to play in a tournament at San Juan Country Club, before trips to Grand Junction and Montrose wind down the regular season.
