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Cheyenne Mountain's Justine Kemp
Chipping her way to a state berth
Indians’ Kemp battles through poor tee shots to win regional championship
Cheyenne Mountain's Justine Kemp had to battle through a few errant tee shots to finish with a 9-over-par 80 Monday at the Country Club of Colorado and win the 4A girls golf regional individual title.
Kemp, who has relied on her tee shot all season, found other strengths during Monday's round.
"I was kind of struggling off the tee," Kemp, a junior at Cheyenne Mountain, said. "I've been working so much with my irons that today I thought my approach was the strongest part of my game."
Kemp, along with the top 11 individual finishers, will advance to the state tournament. Rock Canyon, which won the regional with 260 points, will take all four team members. The state tournament is at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Golden May 19-20.
Corey Broker finished 10th with a score of 97, and became the second Indian to qualify for state. Teammate Becky Nelson's 107 earned her a spot as an alternate. The Indians, who won the regional in 2007, tied for second place with Cherokee Trail at 284.
"The course was in great shape and very well set up," Cheyenne Mountain coach Bill Paulson said. "It allowed the girls to play some of their best golf, and Justine really took advantage of that."
Limon senior Siobahn Kahanic had to beat out Cherokee Trail's Marlie Fisher on a playoff hole to determine which would take the final berth at state.
"I made this huge 24-foot putt, but I didn't take the pin out and my ball hit it," Kahanic said. "I would have made par, but I had to take a two-stroke penalty for hitting the pin. But at least I made it to state, that's what I care about."
Led by Cara Jorgensen's 102, Fountain-Fort Carson placed fourth. St. Mary's was fifth, boosted by a 96 from Kara Sullivan. Jordyn Dougal's 100 led The Classical Academy to seventh place.
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