Golfers split up, play in two tournaments

The Gunnison High School girls golf team played in two tournaments earlier this week before they head over Monarch Pass with their top five players to play in Salida’s home tournament.

Head coach Kevin Mickelson split the squad up, taking a group of five juniors to Bookcliff Country Club in Grand Junction on Monday, April 20, and taking another group of four golfers to Adobe Creek National Golf Course in Fruita on Tuesday, April 21.

Mickelson wanted to split the squad to give as many girls opportunities to play and lower their scores while also determining the four-to-five players he’ll take to Salida on Thursday, April 23.

At Bookcliff, the team placed ninth overall with a total score of 338.

“They did a good job,” said Mickelson. “It was a good experience for them to play. It's a long course, but it's fair. And it proved to be a good test for them.”

The team was led by Natalia Sabino and two former state qualifiers, Althea Stansberry and Norah Abila. Sabino shot a 110, Stansberry shot a 112 and Abila shot a 116.

Abby Hulick shot a 119 and Kaya Burnett shot a 125 to round out the scores for the Cowboys at Bookcliff.

“They trimmed their scores, so they're getting better and improving,” said Mickelson.

Mickelson said that their objective is to continue to keep improving so that by the end of the season some girls will be in the top 85 in the state and qualified for state.

Mickelson took one senior, Faith Pederson, a junior and two sophomores to Adobe Creek National Golf Course.

Pederson led the team, shooting a 91 and placing seventh overall. Right now Pederson sits at 34th in the state and comfortably qualified for the state tournament. Her 91 on Tuesday helped her maintain that spot.

Sophomore Lilian Davis shot a 118, junior Abby Willett shot a 123 and sophomore Bella Danni shot a 126 to round out the scores for the Cowboys.

Mickelson will now gather his top four-or-five golfers and head to Salida on Thursday for their third tournament of the week. 

Mickelson believes that the course sets up well for his team. He noted that the course is not overly long so his girls can attack it, but it will be windy. 

“The girls are starting to see the improvement,” said Mickelson. “And that just helps the whole team concept because everybody's improving right now.”