Lady Bulldogs capture team title in Worland as Cook wins individual title

By: 
Sam Smith

The Lovell Bulldogs golf team continue their strong start to the fall season as they put up strong performances at the Worland Invitational Thursday and Friday.

“I was really pleased with how the golfers performed in Worland last Thursday and Friday,” coach Craig Lundberg said. “Everyone on the team continues to improve and get better. As a coach there is not much more that I could ask for.”

The Lady Bulldogs captured the team title with a score of 579. Lovell shot a 287 on the first day and a 292 the second day.

Lady Bulldog freshman Erika Cook of Greybull won the tournament by shooting a personal best 82 Thursday and an 89 on Friday for a two-day total of 171.

Right behind Cook was Lovell senior Adessa Lundberg in second, shooting a personal best 86 the first day and an 89 the second for a tournament score of 175.

“On the girls side we had some really nice scores,” Lundberg said. “The thing about their rounds is that they will both tell you that they should have been lower. They have some really high expectations of themselves and are both ready to shoot in the 70s. It is just a matter of time before it all clicks for them and they make it happen.”

LHS sophomore Alex Walker set personal bests both days as she shot a 119 Thursday then a 114 Friday for a 233 to tie for sixth place with Rihan Rosario of Worland.

“Alex Walker is making some great gains and improving in all areas of her golfing,” Lundberg said. “I expect her to keep working, and if we can get her down a handful of strokes, our girls team is going to be pretty strong at the state tournament. It has been fun to see the girls compete and work hard.”

Boys action

The Bulldog boys placed fourth in Worland with a team score of 743, 41 strokes ahead of Powell and 45 strokes behind Thermopolis. Worland won the home meet with a score of 602.

Leading the Bulldogs was sophomore Carter Lundberg. Lundberg shot an 88 the first day. On the second day, he shaved off eight strokes and shot a personal best 80 for a two-day score of 168 to place ninth.

“I really felt like Carter brought his ‘A’ Game last week,” Coach Lundberg said. “He was really striking the ball well with his irons, and he was able to read the greens and make some nice putts.

“For him to shoot an 80 the second day is a real testament to how hard he is working to improve. Along with Carter, it was nice to see most of the boys improve and start to become more consistent.”

Next was LHS senior CJ Pickett as he shot a personal best 90 Thursday and a 98 Friday for a 188 to place 15th.

“CJ played well and is striking the ball nicely in practice,” Lundberg said. “I sometimes don’t think he knows the potential that he has.”

Rocky Mountain High School sophomore Mason McCollam shot a 99 the first day and a 94 the second for a 193 finish just behind Pickett in 16th.

“Mason played very well this past week, and so did the rest of the team. We have been working in practice this week of making sure that we can be a little more focused and navigate the course when our game is not going the way we want. I really think that once a couple more of our kids gain a little more confidence, we will see our scores drop even more.”

Next was LHS senior Zeke Newman as he struggled Thursday and shot a 102. Friday, Newman bounced back and shot a 96 to place 18th with a 198.

“Zeke played very well at his first tournament and just needs to find his groove again,” Lundberg said.

Rounding out the Lovell boys was RMHS freshman Max Cooley in 20th place with a 98 the first day and a 104 the second for a 202.

“Max Cooley is improving every day and working hard at some of the little things he needs to do to become more consistent,” the coach said.

Competing in the JV division was LHS sophomore Cale Frost as he shot a 108 Thursday.

The Bulldog golfers will compete at the Cats and Dogs Invitational Friday and Saturday, a pair of independently scored, one-day tournaments. Lovell will host the tourney Friday and then will travel to Thermopolis Saturday. Competing in the tournaments with Lovell will be Buffalo, Cody, Powell, Thermopolis and Worland.

Lundberg said the Lovell girls will tee off at 8:30 a.m. Friday and will be competing against Worland and Thermopolis, and the boys will go at 1:30 p.m., competing against Cody and Powell.

“The tee times for Friday in Lovell will be staggered because of the limit that the WHSAA has placed upon us,” Lundberg said. “We can only have a max of 40 golfers on the course at a time. Our tournament is just a one-day winner take all.”

Lundberg said spectators are allowed at golf tournaments.

“They just need to abide by the rules that are set forth in the WHSAA guidelines,” the coach said. “They need to keep their distance from the golfer that they are following and may not engage in conversations of give them any course advice or swing tips.”