By Chris Parker
Springfield Catholic girls golf appears to be peaking at the right time of the season. The Lady Irish followed up two record-setting performances last week by shooting 295 as a team to win the Big 8 Conference Tournament.
“I didn’t dream it (sub-300 score) was going to happen. It was a situation where I told them there was a chance it would be a letdown after such a great week. Then all of the sudden we had four players step up and play even better,” coach Frank Gallant said.
Regan Zibilski paced the Lady Irish with a five-under 64 to win the tournament. She was followed by teammate Kayla Pfitzner and her one-under 68. The two were the only players to break par on Monday. Kyleigh Pfitzner carded a 75 to give the Lady Irish three of the top four individuals.
“Reagan is a top quality golfer and probably one of the best players in the state. Kayla is right there with her too. They are making each other better playing against each other,” Gallant said. “Our No. 3 player Kyleigh Pfitzner is getting better and better. (They) are kind of a three-headed monster that people are having to deal with.”
Confidence is high for the Lady Irish heading into the postseason which starts next Monday.
“This morning we are all joking that we would shoot in the 290’s today and then it actually happened,” Pfitzner said. “We are all really confident, but all need to keep pushing to cut more strokes.”
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“Our team is so close. I have known most of these girls since I was little. I feel like we are all getting really good at the same time, which is good with state coming up,” Zibilski said. “We are working as a team in golf and that is always a positive.”
McDonald County’s Lily Allman finished third with a five-over 74 on the day. Rogersville’s Brooke Wagner rounded out the top five with a 78. The Lady Wildcats team carded a 341 and place all four of their scoring golfers in the top 10. In addition to Wagner, Annie Strong (7th – 86), Emma Strong (8th – 87) and Janna Mantala (10th – 90) gave Rogersville a strong top four.
Nevada’s Grace Palmer (6th – 81) and Catholic’s Ellen Moore (9th – 88) rounded out the top 10 individuals.
The Lady Irish now are focused on the Class 1 District 4 Golf Tournament on Monday at Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield where one bad round can end a season for players and teams.
“What we are going to focus on next week is damage control. If you are having a bad hole punch out and make bogey,” Gallant said. “They can’t panic is a sense where if one player has a bad day someone else can pick them up. That is what we are focusing on more team aspect. Golf is an individual sport, but the team aspect is very important right now.”
“My focus changes a lot actually,” Zibilski said. “My focus will change because I have to play the course and not be worried about what other people are doing and just stick to my game. If I focus and I do everything right then good things will happen.”
