The Columbus East girls golf team shot a season best as a team Tuesday night, a score that would be good enough to win a lot of matches this season.
Unfortunately for the Olympians, fourth-ranked Columbus North also posted a great score as both teams tuned up for Saturday’s sectional. The Bull Dogs won the match 153-171 at Otter Creek.
The 171 by East surpasses its previous season best of 189. Four of the six golfers for the Olympians had a personal best.
“It feels good to be there as we get to sectional,” East coach Troy Buntin said. “A 171 would be good to win a lot, but Columbus North played well, too.”
The Bull Dogs were led by sophomore Alex Munnicha, who fired an even-par 36 to earn medalist honors.
“My putting wasn’t that good today,” Munnicha said. “I had a lot of three-putts. Toward the middle of my round, I had a few birdies, which balanced things out with the bogeys I had.”
Danbi Kim carded a 37, and Holly Anderson and Aubrey Smith shot 40 to complete the scoring for North. Julia Luken finished with a 43, and Molly Donnell scored a 46.
“I’m happy with 153 on a course that we haven’t played at all season, but the girls practice out here (at Otter Creek), so they are familiar with it,” North coach Scott Seavers said.
Munnicha, who won medalist honors with a 71 in Monday’s Conference Indiana Tournament at Cascades, and Smith are finishing the season on a high note, which is great for Seavers if the Bull Dogs want to contend at state.
“They are in a groove right now and have a lot of confidence,” Seavers said. “They know the time of the year and how to help our team win. They are starting to step up when the competition is the biggest.”
One of the East golfers who had a personal best was junior Autumn Fateley. She was even par through eight holes but scored a triple bogey on her final hole for a 39.
“I was hitting the ball really solid,” Fateley said. “I have had a problem with my tempo, and today, I kept it under control. I went out there and kept it simple, which I think was key.”
“Autumn has worked really hard, and she’s gotten her tempo and swing down,” Buntin said. “She has taken golf seriously the last couple years, and the one thing golfers struggle with is the mental side of it in order to get confidence. Every time she goes out and plays, she is getting more confident and going through the learning process.”
Lily Shelp carded a 41, while Morgan Harrison added a 45 and Zoe Rangel had a 46 to round out the Olympians scoring. Natalie Ryan finished with a 47, and Liz Kroger had a 55.
Both teams have time to prepare for Saturday’s sectional at Greensburg Country Club. East has its final regular-season match at Greensburg on Thursday, and the Bull Dogs will play a practice round there later this week.
