The long-sleeve shirts and jackets Warsaw’s golfers wore Thursday evening, as well as the stocking hat head coach Ray Davis donned, served as a more than just a reminder that the area is in store for a chilly weekend. Blistering hot days on the course are now in the past, and the high school girls golf season is winding down as postseason play is just around the corner. In a final tuneup for Saturday’s Northern Lakes Conference and Three Rivers Conference tournaments, the Warsaw Lady Tigers and Manchester Lady Squires squared off at Stonehenge Thursday. Led by senior Alexis Manwaring, who shot 39 on Stonehenge’s back nine to earn medalist honors on senior night, Warsaw topped Manchester 188-216. The Lady Tigers are now 12-5 on the season, while the Lady Squires fell to 10-5. “In 17 (nine-hole) matches this season, that’s the 14th time she’s been medalist or tied for medalist,” Davis said of Manwaring. “She continues to play well. She shot a 39 tonight, and she’s probably kicking herself because she double-bogeyed a par-3. She played pretty well after that hole.” Kristen Watson, Warsaw’s only other senior on the roster, played in the No. 2 spot Thursday and finished with a 50. “Kristen played No. 2 tonight, and she had some strong holes,” said Davis. “I hope that helps with her confidence. “Everybody knows what Alexis can do on the course, but Kristen is also important to our team,” added Davis. “She’s a leader at practice, and she’s the type of girl you want on your team. Both seniors are important to our team.” Other scores for Warsaw included Ash Jain’s 49, Morgan Fuentes’ 50, Page Desenberg’s 51 and Madi Graham’s 59. For Manchester, Claire Barnett led the way with a 46, while Gabbi Wilcox carded a 47. Other scores for the Lady Squires included Erin Working’s 61, Lydia Little’s 62, Rachel Cave’s 67 and Madison Hire’s 71. “We didn’t play very well tonight,” said Manchester coach Josh Troyer, who said Stonehenge was “easily” the toughest course his team has played this season. “The course is a tough layout for us, and with the cold weather it was a bad combination that we obviusly didn’t handle well. “It was a good learning experience for us,” added Troyer. “Gabbi Wilcox played a great round and recovered from a 6-over after two holes to finish with a career-low 47. We will get some work in Friday and prepare for conference on Saturday.” The Lady Squires are scheduled to tee off in the TRC match at 8:30 a.m. at LaFontaine Golf Club. The Lady Tigers will tee off at 9 a.m. in the NLC match at South Shore Golf Club. Warsaw finished the regular season portion of the NLC schedule with a 5-2 record. NorthWood was 7-0, while Wawasee was 6-1. The Lady Tigers have won the NLC’s 18-hole match the past three seasons. “We’d love to win the NLC tournament again,” said Davis. “We need to play well on the front nine Saturday ... that will help our confidence. NorthWood went 7-0 and Wawasee was 6-1, but if we play well Saturday it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we all tie for the conference championship.”
WARSAW 188, MANCHESTER 216 (Stonehenge, par 35) Medalist – Alexis Manwaring 39 Warsaw – Ash Jain 49, Kristen Watson 50, Morgan Fuentes 50, Page Desenberg 51, Madi Graham 59 Manchester – Clarire Barnett 46, Gabbi Wilcos 47, Erin Working, Lydia Little 62, Rachel Cave 67, Madison Hire 71 Records: Warsaw 12-5, Manchester 10-5
