Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Payton Finds Her Place With Another Strong Finish On Back 9
Carli Wurdeman watches the result of her shot at a recent tournament held at the Four Winds Golf Course in Kimball. The senior varsity golfer has been sidelined with a broken finger suffered in a fall at her home but is hoping to be back in play by District Tournament time.
Another record setting day on the golf course for Kimball's Payton Wise as the sophomore standout lowered her own school record round by 4 strokes it the Gering Invitational Tournament this past week. Her new Kimball High Girl's record round of 77 will go in the record books as having occurred on September 17, 2019!
Her 9 hole scores were 40-37=77 and once again Payton improved her back nine over her front nine. Near perfect weather conditions with no wind led to some truly outstanding scores from several of the area's top girls with the field including all of the area's larger schools along with some of the smaller schools, like Kimball, as well.
Coach Katie Culek had only two of her varsity golfers playing at Gering as senior Carli Wurdeman was out with a broken finger she suffered in a fall at home, and sophomore Katie Heeg was out with a shoulder injury, but she should be ready to go this week. Maddie Cook shot a round of 59-61=120 on the tough Gering course.
Gering, as a team, shot a school record team score of 320 with Scottsbluff runner up with 331 and Ogallala 3rd with 367. Sidney finished 4th with 400 followed by Mitchell with 418, Scottsbluff JV 429, Chadron 434, and Alliance 459. Madi Schlaepfer of Gering was medalist with her round of 71, followed by Emily Krzyanowski of Scottsbluff with 74, Marley Hiltibrand of Ogallala with 75, Ali Boswell of Gering at 76 and Miss Wise in 5th place with her 77.
Coach Culek was all smiles as she gave her star player a big hug when it was all over. Now she can only hope that she can get Wurdeman and Heeg back in action as the District Tournament is just days away and scheduled for the week of October 7th at McCook.
The Lady Longhorns were in action at Ogallala this past Tuesday and will close out the regular
season at Bridgeport today (Thursday). If coach Culek can get all four of her varsity girls back in the swing of things, there is a very good chance the Lady Horns could qualify for a spot in the state tournament upcoming.
Payton's father, and the Four Winds Golf Course professional and swing instructor who assists with the Kimball High girls golf program, said, "Payton played an awesome round of golf at Gering but truthfully it was close to being a few strokes better as some of her putts just wouldn't drop."
Enough of them dropped, however, for her to lower her own school record from 81 to the new mark of 77!
Keep it going, Payton, and we will continue to cheer for you and report the good news.
