By 
Medalist Claire Crawford helped Aberdeen Roncalli hold off Madison and the rest of the field to capture the Region 1A girls golf championship Thursday, May 22 at the Meadow Creek Golf Course in Volga.
It was the third straight region title for the Cavaliers.
Claire Crawford tracks her putt on the par-four 18th hole during the Roncalli Invite. Crawford won medalist honors at the Region 1A tournament Thursday, May 22 on a second playoff hole. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
The win also sealed the team’s spot in the Class A girls high school golf state tournament Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3 at the Madison Golf & Country Club.
Roncalli had a team score of 345 to edge Madison by four strokes.
“Three years in a row. Yeah, not bad,” RHS head coach John Murdy said. “Just have to give credit to those girls. They battled from start to finish (Thursday). They kind of know they have a target on their backs, and they don’t want anyone to catch them.”
Crawford claimed the individual crown, defeating Delilah Maxwell of Madison on the second playoff hole. They both finished 18 holes at nine-over 81.
“I turned in my scorecard and came out not exactly thrilled because I finished my round with three bogeys,” Crawford said. “I was putting my gear away and went to talk to my mom and she told me I was tied for first and I should talk to Coach. So, I went and putted for a few minutes and hit a couple on the driving range, then it was time to go.”
MORE: Walks, errors doom Redfield as Sioux Valley advances to Class B baseball tourney
Crawford sealed the win by sinking a 5-foot putt for par on the par-three second hole.
“My tee shot landed on the fringe of the green just about pin high. My putt was about 5 feet from the hole, and (Maxwell’s) was even closer, so I knew I had to sink my par putt because I was thinking there was no way she was going to miss. I hit my putt and she missed. I was surprised, but, hey, you take the win.”
Murdy said Crawford usually finishes near the top, but has struggled with the closing holes of her rounds.
“She’s getting over that bump a little more. You saw it in the playoff. She needed to make a putt just to put the pressure on Maxwell and she did,” he said.
Roncalli’s Mackenzie Wegehaupt finished third with an 82. Grace Seyer was seventh with an 89, while Ava Danielson’s 93 helped her place 10th.
The Cavaliers placed fourth in a loaded Class A field at the Madison Invitational on Tuesday, May 27 in Madison.
St. Thomas More of Rapid City won the team title with a 323, followed by Sioux Falls Christian at 336, Vermillion at 348 and Roncalli at 365.
Crawford led the Cavaliers, finishing sixth and carding an 81. More’s Rylan Horning was the medalist with a round of 64.
Aberdeen Central grabs ESD Conference crown for third-straight victory
Aberdeen Central’s Olivia Braun tracks her approach shot on the 18th hole during the Hub City Invitational Thursday, May 1 at Lee Park. Braun won her third straight medalist honor at the ESD conference tournament Tuesday, May 27 in Brandon. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo
Aberdeen Central handily won the Eastern South Dakota Conference girls golf championship on Tuesday, May 27 in Brandon.
Four Golden Eagle golfers were in the top 10 to earn all-conference honors.
“It was a very gratifying win for the girls, no question,” said head coach Kim Zimmerman. “They competed their hearts out, and for me, as their coach, it was rewarding to see how happy they were after the championship.”
Central had a team score of 321, 22 shots better than second place Mitchell at 343.
Olivia Braun led the way as the medalist with a one-under-par 70, 10 strokes ahead of Gabi Olson of Watertown.
Both Braun and the Eagles have won three straight tournaments.
“I feel pretty confident with my swing, and I’m hitting the golf ball pretty well. The weather today was kind of crappy, but I like playing in it — I’m the weird one — and even though it was a grind, I stayed focused on my game and played one shot at a time,” she said.
Emma Dorher tied for third place with a round of 81. Kyley Wirebaugh tied for fifth with an 83, and Chloe Vikander finished 10th.
Central will now get ready for the Class AA state tournament Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3 at Prairie Green Golf Course in Sioux Falls.
“We’ll take what we learned today and apply it to Monday and Tuesday,” Zimmerman said. “We’re just going to play freely, not be tentative, and trust our shots.”
Central, which had two meets postponed due to rain, had nearly two weeks off before winning the Brookings Invitational on Thursday, May 11 and the Brandon Valley Invitational on Friday, May 23.
The Eagles carded a 317 in Brookings, then shot 308 in Brandon.
Braun
After not being able to practice outdoors much during the layoff, Zimmerman said the victories are a reflection of the players’ dedication and confidence.
Braun paced the Golden Eagles, capturing medalist honors in both events.
She shot a one-under 71 May 22 and scorched the course Friday with a three-under 68.
“You can take for granted what Olivia is capable of doing, but that’s just the type of mentality she carries with her on the course,” Zimmerman said.
He noted that Dohrer and Wirebaugh placed in the top five at both tournaments.
“We ask a lot out of our top three players. Olivia, we know how she can play. Emma and Kyley have continued to produce, and it just speaks to their commitment and the way they approach each round,” Zimmerman said.