Lady Rockets’ golf team makes first-evertrip to state

By Todd Rohde~SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

The Richmond-Burton girls’ golf team has plenty to be proud about, as they closed out a record-setting season by placing ninth overall out of 12 teams in their first-ever state appearance as a team. The Lady Rockets came in ninth with a two-day team score of 754 at the IHSA Class A State Team Meet Oct. 18-19th at the Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur.

Each team plays 18-hole rounds on consecutive days for a total of 36 holes and the top four individual scores are added together to form one composite team mark for the event.

`The Lady Rockets were in eighth place after the first round with a score of 376 that included shooting 187 on the front nine and 189 on the back, while the second day they carded a 378 after rounds of 190 and 188.

Nashville proved to be the team to beat at the meet by coming in first with a team mark of 664 (325, 339), well ahead of runner-up Rochester in second at 683 (331, 352). Richmond was just one stroke away from coming in eighth place and four away from taking seventh.

Charleston freshman Lauren Chappell finished as the medalist at the meet by posting the lowest individual score of 141 (68, 73), while Rochester sophomore Morgan Savage was the runner-up at 149 (71, 78). Leading the way for the Rockets was junior Blake Betke with a 171 (85, 86) including having one birdie, 12 pars, 18 bogeys and five double bogeys at the meet along with freshman Mackenzie Hahn at 184 (95, 89) that featured scoring three birdies, six pars, 15 bogeys and eight double bogeys.

Other golfers contributing to the Rockets’ scoring were juniors Kat Cummings with a 199 (102, 97) and Jenny Wojcik at 200 (94, 106). Also gaining experience by competing at the meet for Richmond were juniors Emily Fox with a 213 (104, 109) and Jessica Guenther at 287 (148, 139).

The Lady Rockets, who went undefeated during the regular and captured the Big Northern Conference title as well as landing regional and sectional championships, should be in pretty good shape again next season.

`That’s because the Rockets won’t lose any of their varsity players to graduation, as they will return five seniors and a sophomore to their roster with another year of experience and confidence under their belts.

 

Richmond Boys Golf

The Richmond-Burton boys’ golf team was also represented at the State Meet and in a very positive way thanks to the play of junior Jordan Hahn. Hahn, making his first ever state appearance and the Rockets only representative, wound up finishing in a very respectable third place amongst a very competitive field.

Hahn finished in third place with a two-day score of 146 at the IHSA Class 2A State Individual Tournament Oct. 18 to 19 held at Weibring Golf Club on the Illinois State University campus in Normal. He fired a four-over par score of 75 on the opening day including shooting rounds of 38 and 37, but regrouped and finished with an even par of 71 on the second day after notching a 35 on the front nine and a 36 on the back nine holes.

Hahn was a mere three strokes behind the runner-up in Burlington Central senior Matt Weber at 143 (71, 72) and four strokes behind the medalist in Rockford Boylan senior Danny Gorman taking first at 142 (71, 71).

What makes Hahn’s play so impressive was the fact that he was able to remain calm and collective by playing up to his potentials, despite the tense atmosphere and stellar competition.

`Another highpoint was Hahn’s ability to improve and move up six spots in the rankings during the second day of play, after being tied for ninth with five other players the first day.

Hahn was on the top of his game during the second round, where combined to card five birdies, eight pars and five bogeys. His first-round performance wasn’t too shabby either, as Hahn finished with a pair of birdies, 11 pars, five bogeys and a double bogey.

 


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