McCook girls golf squad opens season at home Friday

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

What a difference one player can make.

That's the thinking of McCook High School girls golf coach Randy Ryser, whose team opens the season Friday by hosting the McCook Invitational at Heritage Hills.

The tournament starts at 9 a.m.

Last season, the Bison girls golf squad featured just four players, including graduate Karmon Nelson, who placed sixth at the Class B state tournament.

This season, the Bison squad features five players, which means that the team should score points in each of the nine regular-season tournaments on its schedule.

"I'm absolutely tickled that we have five kids out," Ryser said.

The Bison feature junior Katherine Morell, who finished 11th at the Class B state tournament during the fall of 2002.

Also returning for the Bison are sophomores Lesley Nelson and Minda Haas. They will be joined by senior Tina Nemechek and junior Kristy Osterman -- both first-year players.

The experience of Morell should be an asset for the two novice players on the Bison team, said Ryser. He also believes Morell, whose older sister Elizabeth plays at Creighton University, is one of the top players in the state.

"Tina and Kristy are essentially beginners," Ryser said. "Katherine can compete with any player in the state. Lesley has worked hard over the summer and will see the results.

"Minda had an injury that didn't allow her to work on her game this summer. We'll see if we can get her caught up.

"Katherine is invaluable to the team. It's nice to have senior leadership and she's only a junior."

Ryser said the biggest opponent for the teams competing in the McCook Invitational could be the course at Heritage Hills.

"It should be a test of endurance in addition to a test of golf. The course has played difficult all year. It's been hot all summer and that's to be expected."

Ryser said he expects Minden and Ogallala to compete for the tournament title Friday. Other schools competing are Lexington, Gothernburg and Holdrege.

He added that Ogallala and Scottsbluff should be the favorites to win the Class B-4 District Tournament, but thinks McCook could be a sleeper team.

"If we get improvement from everyone, we could be in the mix. The smart money says next year is our year. It's not out of the realm that we can qualify for state."

McCOOK HIGH SCHOOL

GIRLS GOLF SCHEDULE

Coach: Randy Ryser

Aug. 29 -- McCook Invitational, 9 a.m.

Sept. 4 -- Sidney Invite, 9 a.m.

Sept. 5 -- North Platte Invite, 9 a.m.

Sept. 11 -- Cozad, North Platte @ McCook, 4 p.m.

Sept. 12 -- Lexington Invite, 9:30 a.m.

Sept. 18 -- Gothenburg Invite, 9 a.m.

Sept. 22 -- Ogallala Invite, 9 a.m.

Sept. 27 -- Holdrege Invite, 9 a.m.

Sept. 29 -- McCook, Holdrege @ Lexington, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 -- GNAC @ Kearney

Oct. 6 -- Class B-4 District @ West Wind, Ogallala

Oct. 13-14 -- Class B State Tournament

To Read More
Subscribe Sign In
Continue reading with a subscription
Subscription options