By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Elkhorn Area High School girls golf coach Steve Fisher said the experience junior Ava Greeley gained in advancing to within a tournament of state will serve her well as a senior.
Greeley is the only member of the Elks to advance to the WIAA Division 1 sectional tournament Oct. 3 at Brighton Dale Links in Kansasville. Wilmot hosted the sectional.
Greeley shot a 118 on a wet and soggy course and did not advance to the WIAA Division State Individual Girls Golf Tournament, which is today and Tuesday at University Ridge in Madison.
The top two teams and top three individuals not part of one of the qualifying teams advance from the sectional to state.
“It was really soggy and went on Monday, which obviously affected the way she played,” Fisher said. “She was off to a rough start. She really just couldn’t get into a rhythm all day. It was tough going for her.”
Fisher said golfers got no roll at all at the end of shots at water-logged Brighton Dale. Competitors played the forward tee position on the White Course.
“The back nine is more open than the front,” Fisher said. “The front is pretty tight. The first five holes, if you’re not accurate, you can get in trouble in a hurry.”
Greeley shot a 61 on the front nine and a 57 on the back.
“She kept playing away,” Fisher said. “It wasn’t easy. The important thing is she got there, and gained some good experience from playing.”
Milton’s Mia Seeman won the individual title with a 77. Milton won the team title (336) and Union Grove finished second (356) to advance to state.
Catholic Memorial’s Sydney Brandt (77), Waukesha’s Jessica Kuzniewski (79) and Waterford’s Taitum Beck (81) advanced to state as individual qualifiers.
Greeley advanced to the sectional tournament as an individual qualifier out of a WIAA Division 1 regional tournament Sept. 29 at Oak Ridge Golf Course in Milton.
The top four teams and top four individuals not part of one of the top four teams advance from the regional to the sectional tournament.
Greeley led the Elks with an 18-hole score of 108 at Oak Ridge. She shot a 55 on the front nine and a 53 on the back nine.
“She was just steady,” Fisher said. “She didn’t get into any real trouble. Her putting was solid, which helps on that course. Your putter can get away from you really quick over there.”
