The Demons faced the toughest test they’ll see all season on Thursday.
Durango High School’s girls golf team traveled to Farmington and played the par-72 Piñon Hills Golf Course. Walking the Ken Dye designed course while carrying their own clubs, the Demons labored through the spread out design and the 5,428 yards over 18 holes.
With tough native areas in the desert sandstone setting, Durango combined to shoot 468 as a team and placed fourth overall. Aztec won at 412, while Piedra Vista was second with 429. Hope Christian of Albuquerque placed third at 443.
“Tough day,” DHS head coach Kirk Rawles said. “Piñon Hills is a tough course that requires some shots in the air. It’s tough to navigate the native areas with unplayable lies and all of that. It was tough across the board for the full field.”
Piedra Vista’s Shandiin Harper placed first after shooting 92. Two girls, Aztec’s Linda Peralta and St. Michael’s (Santa Fe) Carissa Padilla shot 95 to tie for second.
Durango’s top player was Katrina Chandler, who shot 103. That was good for a tie for ninth place.
“That’s a solid round,” Rawles said. “She’s been battling some sore ribs since basketball season. She’s a gritty kid.”
Quinn Griswold shot 117, Faith Mewmaw posted 122, and Lauren Biery carded a 126. Madalen Meier posted 140.
“Quinn played some really solid holes with a par and three bogeys to start,” Rawles said. “Madalen is brand new and getting mileage in with not many tournaments in. Faith didn’t have her best day, and neither did Lauren, but a tough course can beat ya up and down.”
Piñon Hills features multiple-tiered greens that can be tough to figure out if the approach shot doesn’t land on the right level. Several players found themselves struggling to get close to the hole with their initial putts. And Piñon Hills set up some trademark difficult pin positions for the tournament, which included a full boys field for New Mexico teams which play in fall and spring.
Durango will see a more manageable test Tuesday in its home meet at Hillcrest Golf Club. The first group will tee off at 12:45 p.m. Only Dolores and Durango will play in the event because of school testing across the state.
The Demons hope to get all 18 players who came out for the team this year onto the course to gain experience.
“The freshmen will get to play and get some mileage in,” Rawles said. “I’m really encouraged to have 18 girls out this year. They’re all working hard and want to play. It’s encouraging to see.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
