By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
One member of the Elkhorn Area High School girls golf team lived to play another day after a WIAA Division 1 regional tournament Sept. 26 at Riverside Golf Course in Janesville.
Ryley Rand advanced from the regional to Monday’s sectional tournament at The Highlands – previously known as The Briar Patch – at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva.
The top two teams and top three individuals not part of one of the top three teams advance from sectional play to the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament, which is Oct. 8 & 9 at University Ridge in Madison.
At Riverside, the top four teams and top four individuals not members of one of the top four teams advanced to Grand Geneva.
Rand, a senior, finished with an 18-hole score of 96, which included a front nine of 47 and a back nine of 49.
Coach Mark Malvitz said Rand told her the morning of the meet at Riverside that she didn’t want it to be her last day. Mark Malvitz said Rand’s 96 represents a personal best.
Marlie Lockhart finished at 105 for Elkhorn at Riverside. Afton Malvitz shot a 113, Raven Musgrove finished at 115 and Jena Jacobs carded a 116.
Lake Geneva Badger’s Holly Murphy won individual medalist honors (74). Milton won the regional title (330). Badger finished second (347), Janesville Parker third (376) and Janesville Craig fourth (377) to finish as the teams that advanced to Monday’s sectional tournament.
Elkhorn finished seventh with a team score of 429.
“As a team, we didn’t finish as strong as we wanted to,” Mark Malvitz said. “We have struggled with consistency the second half of the season, but there was never a lack of effort, even at the regional, and I applaud the girls for that.”
Read more Elkhorn sports in the Oct. 4 Independent.
