Cole will head to state in girls golf

Stephanie Cole posted a score of 99-90-189 to finish eighth overall at the Special District 5 Tournament at the Middlefield Golf Course in Cottage Grove on Monday and Tuesday, May 10-11.

Cole was to head to the Class 4A/3A/2A/1A state tournament Monday and Tuesday, May 17-18, at the Eagle Crest Resort Course.

Stephanie struggled in the first round but came back on day two and lowered her score by nine strokes. Cole was frustrated with her performance on the front nine on Tuesday but after a chat with Coach Mary Flande at the turn Stephanie was able to turn her game around.

Cole said, "Flande's pep talk drastically turned my attitude and game around. On the 10th hole I thought my drive was going to be in the water but I had a perfect lie. I hit my sand wedge about 100 yards to get to the green and the ball landed about an inch from the hole. I tapped it in for par."

Flande said, "Stephanie was able to manage the course well and played smart. She didn't get into trouble too often by making poor choices, she played her game."

Cole also earned second team all-league recognition by placing in the top 10.

"Stephanie's strength this year was her ability to play through adversity," stated Flande. "She didn't let one blowup hole dictate the rest of her game. She was able to play on and not worry about the past hole. Stephanie was the only returning varsity player and her leadership was a huge asset for out team."

Trish Erickson improved each week over the course of the season and had her best performance all year at district. Erickson posted a personal best of 104 on Monday and then lowered that score by five strokes on Tuesday to finish 11th overall.

Flande said, "I'm very proud of both of these girls. They played through a downpour on Monday and just kept grinding it out throughout the day. Both girls played the par threes pretty well, especially Trish. She was able to capitalize on the short holes and play to her strengths. Stephanie and Trish both played consistent all season and should be pleased with the progress and growth they made in their golf game."

Marist was the district champion, with a team total of 690 for the tournament. Cottage Grove was runner-up at 690 and Cottage Grove finished at 840.

La Pine rounded out the team scores with an 866. Elmira, Sweet Home, McKenzie and Sisters all had incomplete teams.