WHS girls golf team has a cold, wet, windy start at state Class A tourney

MINOT -- The official in charge of the scoreboard broke out a green sharpie for Jamestown’s Laura Kraft, signifying her 71 was below par Monday at the state Class A girls golf tournament at the Minot Country Club.

“Well, we can put that away,” he said.

Williston High’s Ashley Beard joined the rest of the favorites other than Kraft to post higher-than-normal scores in windy, cold conditions in the opening round of the two-day tournament.

Beard’s 81 helped Williston to a 388 team total for the day as the team stands in tenth heading into today's final round.

“We’re pretty happy to be in the top 10,” said WHS coach Dennis Healy.

Minot started off strong in its attempt to finish the season undefeated, leading at 325 ahead of Fargo Shanley (338) and Dickinson (344)

“I started out bad and ended bad,” said Beard. “I’m just gonna go out there and have fun tomorrow and play like I’m capable of.”

A bad day for Beard is a good day for most high school girls golfers. But three of her Coyotes teammates put up career bests for a state tournament round: Miranda Zavalney (88), Kayla Barke (105) and Cari Zavalney (114). Anna Peterson pitched in a 122.

“It was nice to see the three of them come up here and post personal best scores,” Healy said. “Ashley, I’m expecting her to bounce back tomorrow, play the course and not try to be perfect, letting her natural talent take over.”

The day had several highlights for Williston. Miranda Zavalney birded the sixth hole going out, and Barke holed out from off the green in her round.

“I think I did pretty good today,” Zavalney said. “I like being in the 80s.”

The rain that went through the night before glistened on the grass Monday morning, making the course look nicer than it played. The wet spots and special ground rules allowed the players to clean off their balls and replace them without penalty.

“I figured it’d be worse because of the weather,” said Barke. “It’s a nice course, in good shape.”

The tournament is only half over, and though individual or team titles seem out of reach without a big day, the team is using today as a measuring stick for progress.

“Last year was my first year at state, I didn’t really know what I was going on,” said Peterson. “I want to do even better tomorrow.”

Out 544344354 In 543443535

Ashley Beard 555454454 544443745 41-40 81

Miranda Zavalney 654753475 645443745 46-42 88

Kayla Barke 796457575 445865657 55-50 105

Cari Zavalney 766578488 875575846 59-55 114

Anna Peterson 867676587 977865956 60-62 122