Westminster girls set state record in winning district championship

Left. Right. Left, right, left. The march by the Westminster Christian Academy Wildcats girls golf team to return to state has begun and they are breaking state records in doing it.

Westminster leveled the field in the Class 1 District 1 Tournament at The Landings at Spirit Golf Club with an incredible team score of 309. The victory advances Westminster to play in the Class 1 Sectional 1 on Monday (Oct. 8) at Eldon Country Club in Eldon.

“We found out afterwards that the 308 is a state record for any 18 hole tournament in state history,” Westminster coach Steve Bradley said. “We never even thought about that kind of thing happening.”

It was the Wildcats’ third consecutive district championship.

“We felt that if everyone did their job that we could win the district,” Bradley said. “The girls wanted to make it three district titles in a row and they went to work to accomplish that goal.

“This is always one of the toughest Districts to have success in. This St. Louis district has many of the best teams in the state and we actually knock each other out of the running.  Villa, MICDS and Cape Notre Dame, John Burroughs Lutheran South and Visitation were all within 15 or so strokes of each other.”

The other team scores were: 2. Villa Duchesne 346, 3. MICDS 351, 4. Cape Notre Dame 352, 5. John Burroughs 358, 6. Lutheran South 359, 7. Visitation 363, 8. Notre Dame 435. Villa Duchesen earned the district’s other team-qualifying spot to sectionals.

Bradley said the venue provided the players a good test for the district.

“The course was in very nice shape. The challenge with this course is always the greens,” Bradley said. “They are very fast and can really effect your chipping and putting. We went out there several times before the tournament to get use to them.”

Westminster junior Jordan Wolf captured medalist honors with an even-par 72. Senior Brooke Cusumano, the defending Class 1 state champion, came in two strokes behind her teammate with a two-over 74. Freshman McKenny Montgomery carded an 80 while Senior Ciara Younger added an 82. Sophomore Megan McDaniel came in with an 85.

“Jordan played great. She had six bogeys, six pars and six birdies,” Bradley said. “She was disappointed in her chipping and putting but it worked out well for our team just fine. Brooke Cusumano had and outstanding round as well. Her 2-over par 74 was awesome. Brooke was happy with her play. She had hoped for a few more putts to fall but was smiling at the end of the round.”

The other two Wildcats contributed mightly to Westminster’s record-breaking district score, Bradley said.

“Ciara Younger has been a critical part of the teams recent surge in low scores,” Bradley said. “She has a slow start to the season but has gone above and beyond these last few weeks to get betterb than last year. The surprise for the day were our young players. McKenny Montgomery shot an 80, barely missing a 4-foot putt on the 18th hole that would have given her a 79. She had played the course recently with her dad and shot an 81. She really wanted to top that an did.

“Megan McDaniel carded an 85 as our fifth player.  There were times not too long ago when that 85 would have been our best score ever. It was a total team effort.”

Overall, Westminster has won four district title. Bradley believes it’s time the Wildcats are acknowledged as a consistent program. This victory certainly is turning heads.

“I think this helps to define us as a legitimate program and a team that others see as true competition instead of a push over team,” Bradley said.

MICDS qualified two individuals for the sectional. They are Darby Hobbs (81) and Abby Schroeder (82).