By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Strafford Lady Indians opened up their 2017 golf season with a victory at the Seymour Invitational on Thursday afternoon. The tournament, which played host to twenty schools, was held at the Whispering Oaks Golf Course in Marshfield.
Strafford registered a 375 to pick up the win, two strokes better than the Marshfield Lady Blue Jays who came in with a 377. The Ozark Lady Tigers finished just three strokes back at 378.
The Lady Indians were paced by Haley Frank and Kayla Foht. Frank led all tribe golfers firing a 43 on the front side and a 47 on the back for a 90. Foht recorded rounds of 43-50 for a 93.
“I think my short game came up big for me today. But overall I feel like I played inconsistently,” said Frank. “I try to take a positive look at how I played today though and I’d have to say I definitely have some room for improvement.”
Finishing out the Indians scorecard were Kayley Frank 44-50-94, Alissa Collett 49-49-98, and Emily Underwood 56-58-114. Only the top four scores are recorded for team totals.
Overall head Strafford coach Steve Frank liked what he saw from his girls in their 2017 opener.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT
“We got some really good efforts from our kids today. Kayla Foht turned in a personal best. Alissa also played well while Hayley and Kayley played at about their average,” said Frank. “We all did experience some rough spots along the way today though. But it’s early in the season and I feel our girls have plenty of time to clean up some of their problems. I think as our year progresses our scores should come down.”
Marshfield was led by Yasmine Thomas who fired rounds of 46-43 for an 89. Other Lady Blue Jays contributing were Lauren Miezler 47-47-94, Grace Tibbs 48-48-96, Hannah Mashburn 50-48-98 and Shannon Jester 59-64-123.
Springfield Catholic’s Kayla Pfitzner finished as the tournament’s top medalist. The Irish sophomore topped the field posting a 37 on the front side and a 35 on the back for a blistering 72.
“My drives were really good today,” Pfitzner said. “I also hit a lot of greens and my putting was on. I’m very happy with my effort today.”
Purdy’s Zoe Brown, who also medaled, felt like the Whispering Oaks course was in great shape and just right for turning in some good scores.
“The course was in really good condition,” said Brown who recorded an 81 for her days work. “I just needed to stay focused on my game and getting the best score I could.”
Strafford will next tee up on Tuesday, August 29 in Marshfield once again.
“We have two seniors and three juniors on our squad this year,” said the Indian’s coach Frank. “They’ve been playing together for three years now and their hard work is paying off. Our kids won a district championship in 2016- they’re hoping to repeat the feat again this year.”
Top Ten Schools
1- Strafford 375
2- Marshfield 377
3- Ozark 379
4- Spr. Catholic 387
5- Kickapoo 392
6- Glendale ‘A’ 394
7- Republic 400
8- Purdy 400
9- Branson 442
10- Glendale ‘B’ 446
Medalists
Name Score School
Kayla Pfitzner 37-35-72 Spr. Catholic
Kourtney Tucker 41-39-80 Central
Wriley Hiebert 39-41-80 Glendale
Zoe Brown 41-40-81 Purdy
Ashtynn Russell 42-42-84 Bolivar
Elizabeth Freeman 41-45-86 Ozark
Ashley White 43-46-89 Republic
Yasmine Thomas 46-43-89 Marshfield
Hayley Frank 43-47-90 Strafford
Katy Finke 46-46-92 Kickapoo
Hannah Aherin 52-41-93 Ozark
Kayla Foht 43-50-93 Strafford
