By Dan Karpiel

The Surveyor

Golf is perhaps the most fickle of all sports. What is working great for a player one day might be entirely absent the next.

Courtesy photo – The Berthoud High School girls golf team, left to right, Isabel Gittings, Stephanie Haberkon, Cora Fate, Kyra McDonald, after their rounds at the regional tournament at Loveland’s Olde Course on Monday. McDonald shot a 93 to tie for 11th place and qualify for the state tournament.

That was the case for Berthoud High School (BHS) senior golfer Kyra McDonald as she competed at Loveland’s Olde Course in the 3A regional tournament on Monday. A week prior, McDonald had turned in an impressive 10-over-par 82 in her 18-hole round, but on Monday at regionals the senior had some struggles off the tee and ultimately carded a 93. It was a moot point, however, as that score was good enough for McDonald to tie for 11th place and easily secure a spot in the state tournament.

“I was just playing really bad, I was just playing so bad … I just didn’t have a good drive and when I don’t have a good drive I just end up having bad holes in general,” McDonald explained of Monday’s round. The senior was, however, highly-pleased to have qualified for state for the second time in as many years. “I’m excited, I went last year, and I was more excited last year since it was my first year, but I’m still really excited this year.”

As a core member of the 2017 BHS state-qualifying team that posted a fifth-place finish, the best in the program’s history, McDonald explained she knows what to expect this year and is aiming for a top-10 finish. “Last year I placed 17^th, or tied for 17^th, so I think it will be really cool to be in the top-10 this year, and that’s my goal,” she said.

McDonald explained being the lone Berthoud qualifier this year will help her focus and, while she said she will be “a little lonely” without her teammates there, she will be able to hone-in squarely on her game and aim to reach her goal of a top-10 finish. Said McDonald, “I think it will make it a little easier because I just focus on myself and not be worried about how everyone else is doing.”

The senior has been Berthoud’s best player all season long, routinely carding scores in the low 80s, a range where a top-10 finish at state should be well within reach. McDonald explained her focus will be on getting her drives down and making sure she is placing the ball in the fairway off the tee regularly.

McDonald’s 93 at regionals led the way for Berthoud at regionals. The scores and places for the other three members of Berthoud’s varsity foursome were a 116 for Stephanie Haberkon (43^rd place), a 126 for Cora Fate (47^th) and a 132 for Isabel Gittings (49th).

The 3A state golf tournament is to be held May 21-22 at Elmwood Golf Course in Pueblo.