VERONA – While the nerves and weather may have gotten the best of them during last Mondays opening round of the WIAA State Girls Golf Championship, the Lady Arrows showed their resilience the very next day, closing out the 2023 golf season in style.
Shooting their highest team score of the season on day one with a 408, the Flying Arrows followed the very next day with their lowest score of the season at 350. The Arrows went from trailing Hayward by 24 strokes for sixth place after the first day, to finishing fifth in the Division 2 team standings, ahead of the Hurricanes by 13 strokes.
When Monday’s opening round began at University Ridge, a brisk chilly wind greeted the Flying Arrows at the first tee, which in and of itself can be quite intimidating.
“Qualifying for the state tournament is only half the journey,” said Lancaster coach Brooke Marcue. “The real adventure begins as athletes take the tee box on hole one to begin their first round. It’s a different atmosphere with more spectators, rules officials, unfamiliar opponents and weather that was less than desired.”
One-by-One Lancaster’s five representatives began Monday’s first round, which under better conditions might have led to a better outcome.
Four-time state qualifier Brianna Kirsch led the Arrows on Monday with a 10-over-par round of 82, which put her in a two-way tie for fourth place among 39 division 2 competitors.
After Kirsch was sophomore Lynell Miller with her round of 103, followed by senior Evy Dhyanchand with a 111 and senior Kate McWilliams with a 112. Freshman Margot Dhyanchand’s round of 137 did not count towards the team total.
With a team score of 408, the Arrows sat in last place after the first day of competition, and were 24 strokes behind fifth-place Hayward. Prescott held the top spot with an impressive team score of 354.
“With a shaky front nine, the ladies lost momentum on the back nine,” explained coach Marcue. “Harsh winds and relentless greens were unforgiving during tournament play on Monday. The girls were very disappointed with their scores after the first day.”
As all good teams do, the Arrows regrouped on the second day, looking to close out the season on a high note, which is exactly what they did.
“The ladies entered the course with a new attitude and a new perspective on Tuesday,” Marcue said. “They were consistent with their swings, their tempo was on rhythm, and their putts were falling.”
After shooting their team’s worst score of the season on Monday, the Arrows followed up on Tuesday with their team’s best score of the season, shooting a 350 and knocking off a whopping 58 strokes in a span of 24 hours. Lancaster’s second-day score was identical to that shot by the state champions from Prescott.
Kirsch again led the team on Tuesday, shooting a seven-over par round of 79 to finish fifth overall with a two-day score of 161. She was just four strokes behind Belle Kongshaug of Colfax/Elk Mound, who claimed this year’s division 2 individual state title with a score of 157.
After shooting a 103 on the first day, Miller shot an 88 on the second, giving her a two-day total of 191 and climbing seven spots in the individual standings with a 22nd-place finish.
Evy Dhyanchand climbed five spots in the individual standings, finishing 29th with a two-day score of 201. Her first-day score of 111 was bettered by 21 strokes on Tuesday with a 90.
McWilliams climbed four spots in the individual standings, finishing 31st with a two-day score of 205. After shooting a 112 on day one, she finished up the tournament with a 93 on day two.
Margot Dhyanchand finished 38th overall and shaved three strokes off Monday’s round of 137 with a 134 on Tuesday.
“The resilience of this team is remarkable,” said coach Marcue. “They turned the disappointment from Monday into a drive to succeed. Their passion and drive pushed them into the fifth-place ranking.”
“As the 2023 girls golf season comes to an end, the young ladies on the team have a lot to be proud of. They have earned each of their accomplishments with dignity and grace,” coach Marcue added.
Wrapping up the team’s second consecutive trip to state, these Flying Arrows all have a lot to be proud of, joining Lancaster teams from 1983 and 1984 in the school’s record book.
“These young ladies will have memories that last a lifetime,” said coach Marcue. “I am proud the ladies were able to finish out their season on such a high note, and I am very thankful to have been able to watch these girls grow, succeed and achieve their goals.”
