By John Zetmeir
Last fall, the Dodge City High School girls golf team qualified for state for the first time since 2010. This year, the returning Red Demon golfers will try to use the experience of playing on the biggest stage to help them get back to the 6A state tournament.
Seniors Makena Konrade, Ali Phelps and Emily Stephenson all competed at the state tournament last fall. Stephenson tied for 57th place which was the best finish of the returning players. Taylor Starnes is the other Dodge City golfer who competed at state last year.
“We’ve got four back who played at the state tournament and another who played some varsity last year,” head coach Jim Mapel said. “That is going to help us this season. Especially at the end of the season when we get towards regional time.”
Despite returning five players with varsity experience, the Red Demons lost seniors Logan Gleason and Katie Rostetter who led Dodge City to state.
Early on in the fall, Mapel says his team will have to tune up all facets of their game to get ready for the season.
“We’ve got to work on everything,” Mapel said. “Short game is the focus because that is where we can save the most strokes.”
The Red Demons will travel to Hays on Monday for their first bit of competition this year. Dodge City will host their invitational at Mariah Hills on Sept. 8.
