Fast and loose are two qualities one may prefer in a slot machine, not always in a golf course green.
The greens were one area several high school athletes struggled with May 18-19 at the Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins during the Class 5A girls golf state championship. However, Highlands Ranch, the defending title holder, still managed to finish as this year’s runner-up, nine strokes behind first-place Skyline.
Arapahoe High School girls golf qualified three girls to the 5A links this season, including junior Sarah Moore.
Sarah Moore claimed attention to herself on the second day of competition after having shot a highly impressive 2-under-par 70, the best score of the day, in the second round.
Moore birdied five holes in the second round, including the No. 3 and 10 holes, where the junior chipped in on each of them. The Warriors said the reason for shooting 70 was spending the night after round 1 figuring out where her hitting was going wrong.
“I just figured out my swing and played a lot better, hit the ball a lot more solid and just had fun,” Moore said.
After having played a practice round at Collindale the Sunday prior to state, and having watched her brother play the state tournament there a couple years ago, Moore knew how the course would handle for her.
“I knew the greens would be fast, and I knew the holes were narrow down the fairways, so I tried to use that to my advantage,” she said. “I usually hit my drives pretty straight, but that’s where I struggled [in round 1] the most. So I got that figured out [for round 2]. Not being in the trees helped me out.”
Having shot an 84 in round 1, Moore finished tied for sixth place with 154 and helped the Warriors to an eighth-place finish as a team.
Also shooting for the Warriors this year was Katy Dyachkova who had a hole-in-one in the second round on the eighth hole. She shot an 87 in round 1 and 82 in round 2 to finish tied for 26th place, 25-over-par 169. Being a freshman, and with Moore a junior, there is high hopes for the Arapahoe team next season.
“Katie is a really good player,” Moore said. “It will be exciting having her back next year as a sophomore.”
Becky Gutknecht also swung iron for Arapahoe. She finished tied for 81st, having shot 212.
Heritage High School’s Kristen Kempton took 20th place among individuals. Kempton shot a 20-over-par 164. Kara Drechsler also qualified from the Eagles’ squad. She finished tied for 66th place, having shot 190.
Littleton High School, having graduated two-time state champion Becca Huffer, was represented at state this season by Addison Wessbecker. Wessbecker finished in 79th place, shooting 207.