Girls’ golf: Cheyenne Mountain sophomore leads group of 8 from area to state
A winning round isn’t always highlighted by a long putt for birdie or even par.
Sometimes a putt for bogey is good enough. Such was the case for Cheyenne Mountain sophomore Becky Nelson, who salvaged a bogey on the fifth hole after hooking her drive out of bounds.
That bogey helped secure her first varsity win with a 12-over-par 83, three strokes better than senior teammate Justine Kemp. It came at an excellent time.
Nelson and Kemp led the Indians to a 267 and the championship at the 4A Colorado Springs Regional 18-hole tournament Monday at the Country Club of Colorado.
Salvaging the bogey when things could have gone far worse helped the sophomore’s confidence in her first postseason tournament.
“After that, it was ‘Yes, here we go!” Nelson said. “I wasn’t expecting to do that well, but you never come in expecting to do that well.”
Indians coach Bill Paulson was pleased with his team’s showing – all four players finished in the top 10 – and delighted to see Nelson break through for the win. Nelson carded an 83 at the Fountain-Fort Carson Invitational, where she placed second.
“She has a bright future. She really does,” Paulson said. “I’m really proud of all of them. They came through at an important time. It’s all you can ask for.”
The team win sends all four – Nelson, Kemp, Sydney Pearson (98) and Erin Terrio (99) – to the state tournament May 18-19 at Patty Jewett Golf Course.
They will be joined by area individuals Nicole Fluegel and Rachel Lee of Lewis-Palmer, Audrey Meyer of Palmer Ridge and Wasson junior Millie Harrison, who won a playoff to decide 13th and grabbed one of 14 state berths.
For her, par was plenty good on the first playoff hole, No. 1.
“I was sure I’d do poorly on the drive because my heart was pounding,” she said. “I was so nervous. It’s my first time to state. It’s really exciting.”
Justine Kemp of Cheyenne Mountain eyes her shot from the fairway of #13 during the 4A Girls Golf Regional Monday, May 4, 2009 at the Country Club of Colorado. Kemp placed second with an 86 and the Cheyenne Mountain team took first place. Mark Reis, The Ga Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE
Mitchell’s Kayla Miller tees off on #16 during the 4A Girls Golf Regional Monday, May 4, 2009 at the Country Club of Colorado. Miller shot a 110. Mark Reis, The Gazette Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE
Lewis Palmer’s Nicole Fluegel tees off on #9 during the 4A Girls Golf Regional Monday, May 4, 2009 at the Country Club of Colorado. Fluegel shot a 98. Mark Reis, The Gazette Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE