Chadron golfers strike well in Pueblo

The Chadron State women’s golf team continued their turnaround season Sunday and Monday at Colorado posting the third-best team score in program history at Colorado State University – Pueblo’s El Cheapo Classic. 

The Eagles placed 14th in a field of 16, but continue to show an upward trajectory.

Lone senior Sam Rahmig, of Gering, shot a 36-hole career low of 158 to lead the Chadron golfers. Rahmig shot 80 on the Sunday and 78 on Monday. 

“She’s really matured and stepped up a lot this year,” Head Coach John Ritzen said. “She’s been a great leader for us both on and off the course. She’s been playing very, very well; hitting the ball better than I’ve ever seen her and her scores are showing that.

“She’s a lot more consistent and I’m hoping that continues through the next two tournaments so she can finish her senior year on a high note because she deserves it for sure.”

Ritzen said his team shot well throughout the tournament but struggled with scoring shots and on the green. He credits that in part to weather preventing the team from outdoor practice. 

Wednesday the team was able to practice at Ridgeview in Chadron, it was their first time outdoor since the fall season. 

Chadron’s freshman four, Chadron native Alpine Hickstein, Kayla Elder, of Fort Collins, Colorado, Abby White of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, and Anna Branscome of Lakewood, Colorado, filled out the rest of the card behind Rahmig. Hickstein and Elder, in her return from injury, each had a two day score of 166 to lead the rookie group. 

White shot 85 both days for a total of 170 and was one of three golfers at the Classic to hit an eagle. Ritzen said White had a great drive down the middle on the par 5, then hit a 6-iron in to about six feet and made the putt. 

Rounding out the group was Branscome who went 95-86-181. 

While both Hickstein and White were consistent from one day to the next, each of Chadron’s three other golfers improved on their first day scores on Monday, led by Branscome who took off 9 strokes on day two. 

Ritzen isn’t surprised the team has picked up where it left off in the fall. 

“We’ve been practicing really hard,” Ritzen said. “They’ve been working hard and they’re excited to be competing again and they’ve played really well.

“We do make some minor adjustments between the fall and spring in our offseason so you never know how well those are going to stick when you get outside.”

Ritzen said in practice golfers can make changes and not have to worry about bad shots. But when they get back in competition it can be hard to trust.

“Trying to go through that can be hard but the girls are doing really well and we haven’t really had any hiccups or setbacks in terms of that.”

The women’s team competes again April  7-8 in St. Louis, Missouri.