Brooke Kniffin scored the best round of her life in some tough conditions.
Kniffin shot a personal best 15-over-par 87 Monday at Riverview Golf Course in Kirtland, N.M., to lead the Durango High School Demons to a second-place finish at the Kirtland Central Invite.
It was the first time Kniffin has broke 90, and she capped off the round with a perfectly played eagle on the par-5 18th hole.
“Brooke’s round in the wind she was facing was exceptional,” said DHS head coach Kirk Rawles. “She hit a perfect draw around (the dog-leg) with her tee shot, then hit a 7-iron onto the green and drilled a 12-foot putt for eagle.
“That is a big confidence booster for her.”
The Demons’ top-four golfers combined to shoot 393. Kirtland Central won at home with a 351.
Riley Waldo shot an 89 for DHS, and Natalie Lyon carded a 94.
Players battled stiff winds and bumpy greens all day.
“It was a really tough day. Nobody could find the speed on the greens, and they were so bumpy. With that wind blowing as hard as it was, putting was really difficult,” Rawles said. “It was a long day out there.”
DHS freshman Katrina Chandler shot a 123, and fellow freshman Taylor Edwards signed for a 124. Demons senior Courtney Peterson shot 126.
The tournament served as the final tune-up for DHS before they play in the Southwestern League championship next Monday and Tuesday in Montrose.
“With (Kniffin, Lyon and Waldo) playing the way they are, we will be looking good going in,” Rawles said. “Montrose is a deep team and, of course, are on their home courses. That’s who we are looking to try to take down when we get up there. We have them in our sights.”
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