Manchester, Warsaw Golfers Compete In Saturday Golf Regionals
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Two area teams, same common goal -Êmake it to the girls golf state finals.
Manchester's team (12-9) made history last week after advancing to the regional for the first time in school history. But it was not an easy task for the Squires.
After the first nine holes at the sectional (also at Norwood Golf Course in Huntington), Manchester sat in fourth place behind Huntington North, Marion and Peru. Marion held an 18-stroke lead, while Huntington North and Peru were 13 and eight shots up, respectively. Wabash, Maconaquah and Blackford County were right nipping at Manchester's heels.
However, on the back nine, Manchester shot its best nine holes of golf of the season, a 185. Three of Manchester's four counted scores were under 50; their fourth score was a 51. The Squires' 185 bested all other teams by 11 strokes and slid into second place to advance to the regional. It was the only time in school history the Squires have moved on from the sectional.
However, the sectional was not the only time Manchester played a competitive match at Norwood.
Ironically, Manchester's previous season best come at Norwood Golf Course as well. When the Squires played Huntington North earlier in the season, they shot a 193.
Now as the squires head to the regional at Norwood, they have precious experience at the course, and coach Gary Goshert hopes experience will breed confidence.
"This is really exciting for the girls," said Goshert. "I think it helped the girls gain confidence in their game. Hopefully that confidence will be a big plus. We're are just going to play one hole at a time, one shot at a time to see how it goes."
Since the Squires have played Norwood before, they know what to expect from the course itself.
"Norwood has some really unique qualities," said Goshert. "The front nine is really tight. You have to have good control of the ball. The greens are huge and very undulating. The back nine is completly different. It's more open, and larger and longer. The greens are not as difficult, but the course makes up fo rit in the length of the back nine."
Perhaps the biggest challenge the Squires will face, however, has nothing to do with the course. Manchester will need to deal with nerves.
"I'm sure there will be some jitterbugs and butterflies," said Goshert, "but then they will relax and play their game. We have been working on the mental aspect of the game this week. We want to relax and play our game. We will be competing with some tough teams. We've prepared ourselves the best we can, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to play this weekend."
Four of the nine teams the Squires will be competing against were ranked in the state in the last poll. Although Western (No. 5), Northwestern (No. 15), Yorktown (No. 17) and Marion (No. 19) were ranked in the season, Muncie Central, Kokomo Anderson, Peru and Manchester are looking to upset the favored teams.
"We are trying to tweak things here and there this week, but basically we are just trying to keep things sharp," said Goshert.
Manchester's No. 1 golfer, Dorey Bungitak, will tee off at 10:04 a.m., while Miriel Speicher, Alexis Leininger, Lindsey Music and Lindsey Hix will tee off every eight minutes after that.
Warsaw looks to advance team to state and make school history
Warsaw (15-1) is looking to make history by advancing to the state championship for the first time as well. Although the Tigers have competed in the regional before, no Warsaw girls team has advanced to the state finals.
After placing second in the sectional they hosted at Rozella Ford, the Tigers will compete at Cobblestone Golf Course in Kendallville tomorrow.
However, the Tigers, who were tied for No. 20 in the last state poll, will be facing some tough competition. Six of the nine teams (including Warsaw) were ranked in that poll as well. Fremont (No. 9), Columbia City (No. 10), DeKalb (No. 11), Goshen (No. 14), Homestead (No. 18), as well as Warsaw (No. 20) will be fighting it out with unranked Bishop Luers, Jay County and Bishop Dwenger.
Columbia City edged the Tigers last week by just three strokes, but Turner feels his squad can do well Saturday.
"After DeKalb and Fremont, who will probably take the first two places, the field is wide open," said Warsaw coach Bob Turner. "It's anybody's regional."
The Tigers played Cobblestone Monday, and the Tigers know what to expect.
"Cobblestone has large fairways," said Turner. "They are wide and and kind of rounded, but they are surrounded by natural obstacles. The greens are undulating. It's a beautiful course."
The Tigers will look to senior Kerri Wrobel for leadership. At the No. 1 position, Wrobel provides leadership for the Warsaw squad.
"Kerri has the best average on the team," said Turner. "She plays well in game situations. This is her kinds of course. She likes to hit the long straight ball, and she should do well on this course."
Lara Reed, Erin Elliott, Jaci Thallemer and Abby Schori round out the Tiger five who hope to rewrite Warsaw girls golf history.
"We have never had a girls team who has gotten to state," said Turner. "I think we have a good chance to do that this year. This team is better than in years past, and I really think they could do it. The girls are really ready to play."
Turner, like Goshert, feels a challenge his team will have to deal with is nerves.
"The biggest key for us wil be composure," said Turner. "We will need to be in control of our emotions and try to stay calm in order to do well."
The first Warsaw golfer, Abby Schori, will tee off at 10:57 a.m. Wawasee's individual competitor Ashley Wardwill tee off at 10:48 a.m.
(Top 3 teams and top 3 individuals advance to state)
HUNTINGTON REGIONAL
Norwood Golf Course
Saturday (rain date -ÊMonday)
Individuals begin at 9 a.m.
Team play begins at 9:10 a.m.
Team tee times
9:10 a.m. -ÊWestern, Marion and Muncie Central
9:50 a.m. -ÊManchester (12-9), Yorktown, Northwestern
10:30 a.m. -ÊPeru, Anderson, Kokomo
Manchester tee times
10:04 a.m. -ÊDorey Bungitak
10:12 a.m. -ÊMiriel Speicher
10:20 a.m. -ÊAlexis Leininger
10:28 a.m. -ÊLindsey Music
10:36 a.m. -ÊLindsey Hix
EAST NOBLE REGIONAL
Cobblestone Golf Course
Saturday (rain date -ÊMonday)
Individuals begin at 10:30 a.m.
Team play begins at 10:57
Team tee times
10:57 a.m. -ÊGoshen, Bishop Luers, Warsaw (15-1)
11:42 a.m. -ÊJay County, Columbia CIty, Homestead
12:27 a.m. -ÊFremont, DeKalb, Bishop Dwenger
Warsaw tee times
10:57 a.m. -ÊAbby Schori
11:06 a.m. -ÊJaci Thallemer
11:15 a.m. -ÊErin Elliott
11:24 a.m. -ÊLara Reed
11:33 a.m. -ÊKerri Wrobel
Wawasee tee time
10:48 a.m -ÊAshley Ward [[In-content Ad]]
Two area teams, same common goal -Êmake it to the girls golf state finals.
Manchester's team (12-9) made history last week after advancing to the regional for the first time in school history. But it was not an easy task for the Squires.
After the first nine holes at the sectional (also at Norwood Golf Course in Huntington), Manchester sat in fourth place behind Huntington North, Marion and Peru. Marion held an 18-stroke lead, while Huntington North and Peru were 13 and eight shots up, respectively. Wabash, Maconaquah and Blackford County were right nipping at Manchester's heels.
However, on the back nine, Manchester shot its best nine holes of golf of the season, a 185. Three of Manchester's four counted scores were under 50; their fourth score was a 51. The Squires' 185 bested all other teams by 11 strokes and slid into second place to advance to the regional. It was the only time in school history the Squires have moved on from the sectional.
However, the sectional was not the only time Manchester played a competitive match at Norwood.
Ironically, Manchester's previous season best come at Norwood Golf Course as well. When the Squires played Huntington North earlier in the season, they shot a 193.
Now as the squires head to the regional at Norwood, they have precious experience at the course, and coach Gary Goshert hopes experience will breed confidence.
"This is really exciting for the girls," said Goshert. "I think it helped the girls gain confidence in their game. Hopefully that confidence will be a big plus. We're are just going to play one hole at a time, one shot at a time to see how it goes."
Since the Squires have played Norwood before, they know what to expect from the course itself.
"Norwood has some really unique qualities," said Goshert. "The front nine is really tight. You have to have good control of the ball. The greens are huge and very undulating. The back nine is completly different. It's more open, and larger and longer. The greens are not as difficult, but the course makes up fo rit in the length of the back nine."
Perhaps the biggest challenge the Squires will face, however, has nothing to do with the course. Manchester will need to deal with nerves.
"I'm sure there will be some jitterbugs and butterflies," said Goshert, "but then they will relax and play their game. We have been working on the mental aspect of the game this week. We want to relax and play our game. We will be competing with some tough teams. We've prepared ourselves the best we can, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to play this weekend."
Four of the nine teams the Squires will be competing against were ranked in the state in the last poll. Although Western (No. 5), Northwestern (No. 15), Yorktown (No. 17) and Marion (No. 19) were ranked in the season, Muncie Central, Kokomo Anderson, Peru and Manchester are looking to upset the favored teams.
"We are trying to tweak things here and there this week, but basically we are just trying to keep things sharp," said Goshert.
Manchester's No. 1 golfer, Dorey Bungitak, will tee off at 10:04 a.m., while Miriel Speicher, Alexis Leininger, Lindsey Music and Lindsey Hix will tee off every eight minutes after that.
Warsaw looks to advance team to state and make school history
Warsaw (15-1) is looking to make history by advancing to the state championship for the first time as well. Although the Tigers have competed in the regional before, no Warsaw girls team has advanced to the state finals.
After placing second in the sectional they hosted at Rozella Ford, the Tigers will compete at Cobblestone Golf Course in Kendallville tomorrow.
However, the Tigers, who were tied for No. 20 in the last state poll, will be facing some tough competition. Six of the nine teams (including Warsaw) were ranked in that poll as well. Fremont (No. 9), Columbia City (No. 10), DeKalb (No. 11), Goshen (No. 14), Homestead (No. 18), as well as Warsaw (No. 20) will be fighting it out with unranked Bishop Luers, Jay County and Bishop Dwenger.
Columbia City edged the Tigers last week by just three strokes, but Turner feels his squad can do well Saturday.
"After DeKalb and Fremont, who will probably take the first two places, the field is wide open," said Warsaw coach Bob Turner. "It's anybody's regional."
The Tigers played Cobblestone Monday, and the Tigers know what to expect.
"Cobblestone has large fairways," said Turner. "They are wide and and kind of rounded, but they are surrounded by natural obstacles. The greens are undulating. It's a beautiful course."
The Tigers will look to senior Kerri Wrobel for leadership. At the No. 1 position, Wrobel provides leadership for the Warsaw squad.
"Kerri has the best average on the team," said Turner. "She plays well in game situations. This is her kinds of course. She likes to hit the long straight ball, and she should do well on this course."
Lara Reed, Erin Elliott, Jaci Thallemer and Abby Schori round out the Tiger five who hope to rewrite Warsaw girls golf history.
"We have never had a girls team who has gotten to state," said Turner. "I think we have a good chance to do that this year. This team is better than in years past, and I really think they could do it. The girls are really ready to play."
Turner, like Goshert, feels a challenge his team will have to deal with is nerves.
"The biggest key for us wil be composure," said Turner. "We will need to be in control of our emotions and try to stay calm in order to do well."
The first Warsaw golfer, Abby Schori, will tee off at 10:57 a.m. Wawasee's individual competitor Ashley Wardwill tee off at 10:48 a.m.
(Top 3 teams and top 3 individuals advance to state)
HUNTINGTON REGIONAL
Norwood Golf Course
Saturday (rain date -ÊMonday)
Individuals begin at 9 a.m.
Team play begins at 9:10 a.m.
Team tee times
9:10 a.m. -ÊWestern, Marion and Muncie Central
9:50 a.m. -ÊManchester (12-9), Yorktown, Northwestern
10:30 a.m. -ÊPeru, Anderson, Kokomo
Manchester tee times
10:04 a.m. -ÊDorey Bungitak
10:12 a.m. -ÊMiriel Speicher
10:20 a.m. -ÊAlexis Leininger
10:28 a.m. -ÊLindsey Music
10:36 a.m. -ÊLindsey Hix
EAST NOBLE REGIONAL
Cobblestone Golf Course
Saturday (rain date -ÊMonday)
Individuals begin at 10:30 a.m.
Team play begins at 10:57
Team tee times
10:57 a.m. -ÊGoshen, Bishop Luers, Warsaw (15-1)
11:42 a.m. -ÊJay County, Columbia CIty, Homestead
12:27 a.m. -ÊFremont, DeKalb, Bishop Dwenger
Warsaw tee times
10:57 a.m. -ÊAbby Schori
11:06 a.m. -ÊJaci Thallemer
11:15 a.m. -ÊErin Elliott
11:24 a.m. -ÊLara Reed
11:33 a.m. -ÊKerri Wrobel
Wawasee tee time
10:48 a.m -ÊAshley Ward [[In-content Ad]]