Xavier golf looks good again, awaits state

Xavier Prep golfers have not played the Kierland Golf Club course in Scottsdale very often, but the Gators felt right at home in what likely was their final match of the regular season on Wednesday (Oct. 10).

In a makeup of a couple of recent matches (weather), the Gators shot a collective 2-under-par 142 over the par-36 (nine holes) to defeat Cave Creek Cactus Shadows (153, 9 over), Phoenix Pinnacle (155, 11 over) and Phoenix Horizon (162, 18 over).

Sr. Lynn Winsor, the co-head coach and athletic director who has led the Gators to seven straight state championships and 35 overall, said the match was a good test  for her team leading up to the Division I state tournament at the Omni Tucson National Resort on Oct. 29 and 30.

Last year’s tournament was played there. The Gators won the Nighthawk Invitational there earlier this season, played a recent practice round and hope to have another practice round next week.

Two-time defending state champion Ashley Menne led the way for Xavier in this match. The junior shot a 2-under 34. Junior Breyana Mathews was next with a 1-under 35, sophomore Lauren Garcia was at even-par 36, freshman Ivy Song was at 1-over 37 and sophomore Bailee Tayles was at 5-over 41.