Girl’s Golf Team Opens Season With Second Place Finish At Clarion Megamatch (08/20/2018)

Members of the Clarion Girl’s Golf Team (left to right): Maya Patterson, Lauren Winters, Rachel Howard, Amanda Matus, Coach Jackie Kerle (missing Kyleigh Craddock)

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub)  The Bobcat girl’s golf team opened the 2018 season with a second place finish at the Clarion Oaks Golf Club on Friday, April 17.

Clarion’s three player team total of 178 was the product of a 57 by Rachel Howard, 59 by Maya Patterson, and 62 by Amanda Matus. Lauren Winters also played, carding a 67.

Howard’s score tied her for third overall with Moniteau’s Kendall Grossman, while Patterson found herself in a tie for fifth with Anna Burns of Clarion-Limestone.

Following the match, Howard reported being happy with her putting, noting that it was improved. She did, however, see room for improvement off the tee.

Patterson evaluated her round, saying, “I thought I did well today, but I did really bad on number three (a long par five) and eight (a short downhill par three). I shouldn’t have done bad on eight, but I just kept picking up my head. My drives were pretty good. My putting for the most part was pretty decent.”

Jackie Kerle, the Bobcats coach, said, “Rachel and Maya are looking a lot better than they have in past years. They’ve put a lot of work in over the summer and I have high expectations for them. I’m hoping they have low enough scores so that they can go to districts.”

Coach Kerle continued, “I have a couple new girls (Matus and Winters). I’d just like to get a baseline on them so we have a goal to work toward.”

Missing from the Bobcats’ line-up was Kyleigh Craddock, who will not compete in the first two matches because of injury. “Kyleigh has been averaging pretty good numbers in practice. I believe she’ll have a pretty good season once she’s back and healthy,” said Kerle.

AC Valley won the megamatch with a team score of 155. The Falcons Jayden Rottman earned medalist honors with a score of 46, with teammate Cami McNany shooting a 47 to place second.  Moniteau came in third, followed by Keystone.

The next KSAC girl’s megamatch is scheduled for Tuesday, August 21 at Hi-Level Golf Course.