Golf team goes to the Missouri State Championship

Par for the Course

EAGLE EYES

Junior Megan

Propeck watches as opponents drive on the tee box. “Keeping up my score would require extra concentration especially playing to the weather conditions we were facing,” Propeck said. (Photo by Kamryn Rogers) The golf team finished second and junior Megan Propeck individually placed second at State Oct. 22.

BY KATE VANKEIRSBILCK REPORTER

The golf team placed second at State as a team at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club Oct. 21 and 22. Junior Megan Propeck won second place at State individually.

The team of five consisted of senior captains Helen Willis and Barbara Mae King, juniors Lia Johnson, Caroline Giocondo and Propeck.

On the first day of the tournament the team was delayed an hour due to rain in the morning. With an already dreary day the weather continued through Tuesday to hinder play as players endured 40 mile per hour winds and temperatures dropping to 40 degrees.

After the final shot of the first day, the team, with a score of 309, was down 10 strokes to St. Joseph’s Academy. However, Propeck had the individual lead with a score of 71. Giocondo shot an 80, Willis 90, Johnson 77 and King 81.

“I did not change much of my playing, but knew for Tuesday I was going to have to step up my game so I could keep the lead,” Propeck said. Prior to State, to help prepare the team, they scouted the course and played a practice round to see where difficult shots may arise, according to

CAROLINE MEGAN

Best score: 73 Farthest drive: 250 yd Least putts: 26

LIA

Best score: 64 Farthest drive: 310 yd Least putts: 25

HELEN

Best score: 70 Farthest drive: 257 yd Least putts: 28

Best score: 75 Farthest drive: 220 yd Least putts: 26 BARBARA MAE

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Assistant Coach Randy Willis. On Tuesday, the sun had come out and was ready to shine on the players. The day started with Willis at 9:24 a.m. and ended with Propeck teeing off at 10:26 a.m.

“It can be challenging not knowing how your teammates are doing while you play because each mistake or great shot you make can determine so much,”Johnson said. Tee times range from 8:30 a.m. to 10:26 a.m. with the people with the highest scores starting and ending with those with the lowest scores. So, Propeck was one of the final three to tee off.

“The golf team is my hardest goodbye. We have spent the last three years together and this team is my second family,” Willis said.

Willis and King played their last tournament with the team and their goodbye won’t be easy according to Willis. They walked Propeck’s last three holes as a team to keep up her spirits and to be together for just one more drive. Propeck took her final putt and ends with a score of 74 and the team ending with 313 putting both in second. Propeck second individually and the whole team overall in second. This is the third year in a row that they have won second place as a team and it is Propeck’s first second place individually compared the past two years where she has gotten first in State.

“Overall, the girls played fantastic, this was a special group of girls this year,” Randy said.

1. PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT As senior Helen Willis is about to finish the last hole of her high school career, she pushes her clubs to the green on hole 18. “The key moments were when I came back with three pars on the first day and made my up and downs to save par,” Willis said. (Photo by Kate Vankeirsbilck)

2. SWINGIN’ FOR SUCCESS Junior Caroline Giocondo takes her first drive of the day on hole 10 at the State tournament Oct. 22. “You have to put behind the previous holes, good or bad, and you have to look at every hole like it is your last hole,” Giocondo said. (Photo by Kamryn Rogers)

3. TALK BIRDIE TO ME Senior Barbara Mae King putts on hole two. “Playing in this tournament was a great way to end the season although we didn’t place first, I am lucky to have the greatest team of all time,” King said. (Photo by Kate Vankeirsbilck)

4. PERFECT PLACEMENT Junior Lia Johnson places her ball on hole 8 ready to finish the front nine with a score of 38. “I managed to shoot 38 on the front nine each day which is very impressive because of the course conditions,” Johnson said. (Photo by Kamryn Rogers)