Champ Pine Creek, Cheyenne Mountain advance out of 4A girls’ golf regional
Pine Creek girls’ golf coach Shane Brown has long said there’s so many things to like about Elly Carlson’s game.
So, it was quite a sight when the Eagles’ top player put it all together Monday.
Carlson, in the best round of the day and of her career, shot even-par 71 to lead Pine Creek to the 4A Region 1 title at the Country Club of Colorado.
“We’ve always known what she’s capable of,” Brown said.
Carlson, who tied for 58th last season at the 5A tournament, said she hopes for at least a top-10 finish at state this year with the Eagles now in 4A.
She had three birdies in the regional.
“I did feel a little bit calmer going into the round because I knew I was one of the top players,” Carlson said. “I just kind of played my game because I’ve been increasingly getting better all season.
“Today I peaked, and it was a great day to do it.”
Pine Creek finished with a score of 260 for its first regional title in the school’s 20-year history.
Cheyenne Mountain was second (269) behind Maxine Choi’s 78 and Casey Fetters’ 81. The Indians edged Coronado (272) by three strokes to qualify as a team.
“It may even be an upset to be honest,” said Cheyenne Mountain coach John Carricato, who also had two sophomores on varsity. “We knew Coronado was going to be formidable and we beat them. We’re happy, very pleased with our performance.”
With storm clouds carrying hail and heavy rain waiting in the distance, the tournament finished in the nick of time.
Carlson led the way, averting her own series of inclement conditions on the course.
On par-4 No. 9, the senior rallied after chunking a shot to roll in a 40-foot putt for par. Then on No. 16, she chipped out of the bunker near the pin to save bogey on the hole.
“I think today she just put it all together,” Brown said. “Elly has always had birdies and pars. She’s just always had one or two holes she wished she had back.
“I think when we look at every hole she played today, she’s proud of every one.”
Pine Creek and Cheyenne Mountain qualified all four of their players to the 4A state meet in Erie in two weeks. Twenty-one players qualified from the region.
