Wayne’s Bree Torgerson knew exactly where she stood walking to the No. 17 tee box on Wednesday during the 1A state tournament: one down with two to play.
Despite the obvious nerves, the senior drew up her previous state experience — including placing fourth a year ago — and executed some clutch shots on those two closing holes to rally and win the individual state title.
Torgerson shot an 89, the only golfer to shoot in the 80s, to capture 1A medalist, with Monticello sophomore LE Olson shooting 90 to finish second in the one-day state tournament at Rose Park Golf Course in Salt Lake City.
Valley’s Emma Cox finished third with a 96.
“It felt good. Nothing I had ever felt before, that’s for sure,” said Torgerson. “I feel like it had all paid off, all the practice, all the rounds that I played.”
Torgerson shot a 46 on the front nine, and then settled down a bit more on the back nine with a 43. One of her best shots of the day was on the par 5 finishing hole. Her second shot on No. 18 into a stiff wind came up short right, leaving her with a wedge into what seemed a narrow landing area on the green. She found the putting surface and was about to putt it out for the state title.
“Throughout all the holes I kind of just had to take everything slow, slow down my swing, focus and think about everything to make perfect shots,” she said. “I’m not super great on my chipping. My putting’s a little bit better, but it was good today. My short game was good today.”
Torgerson’s winning round helped Wayne secure a runner-up finish, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone Monticello for the team title.
Despite graduating four seniors from last year’s teams, Monticello retooled with a another strong group to repeat as state champs by shooting a team score of 412. Wayne finished second with a 420, followed by Rich in third with a 432.
Not only was it a repeat for Monticello, but it was its third 1A title in the past four years.
“The younger kids coming in got to have that opportunity to see the success (last year), and then they were able to play their part today,” said Monticello assistant coach Nathan Chamberlain. “They had their own role.”
Along with Olson’s runner-up finish, Monticello’s Jane Burton shot a 98 to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place along with St. Joseph’s Sophie Yates and Milada Kovar.
Just as important were the contributions of Monticello’s third and fourth golfers, Rebecca Chamberlain and Cailyn Harrod.
“I think they accepted the roles, not trying to over-shoot their abilities. And that obviously came in clutch today for us to get another title,” said coach Chamberlain.
Coach Chamberlain recalled an emotional post-round exchange with Harrod during a round earlier this year where she shot a 125 at the Hideout Gold Course in Monticello, in which Harrod kept stressing about the need to get better, and break 100 or 100.
Chamberlain tried to calmly remind her of her valuable role on the team.
“She’s crying and I’m like, ‘That’s all we need you to do is shoot that 120, shoot that 125, that’s all we need you for. Don’t try to be like the other girls and break the hundred,” said Chamberlain.
With that more relaxed approach on Wednesday, she shot a 117 which proved invaluable for Monticello’s state title.
The Buckaroos’ other golfer who competed was freshman Alice Butler. In fact, all five golfers who competed at state for Monticello are underclassman, which means a 3-peat next year is certainly in the cards.
Class 1A state tournament
At Rose Park Golf Course
Final Team scores
- Monticello, 412
- Wayne, 420
- Rich, 432
- St. Joseph, 440
- Tabiona, 445
- Panguitch, 451
- Valley, 453
- Milford, 472
Final individual results (Top 25)
- 89 — Bree Torgerson, Wayne, Sr.
- 90 — LE Olson, Monticello, Fr.
- 96 — Emma Cox, Valley, So.
- 98 — Sophie Yates, Saint Joseph, So.
- 98 — Milada Kovar, Saint Joseph, So.
- 98 — Jane Burton, Monticello, So.
- 99 — Jaylin Lutz, Rich, So.
- 101 — Maecie Hagman, Tabiona, So.
- 102 — Lizzy Parker, Wendover, So.
- 103 — Madi Jacobson, Wayne, Sr.
- 104 — Tayt Miller, Panguitch, Sr.
- 105 — Kwinlee Johnson, Panguitch, Fr.
- 105 — Rylee Curry, Tabiona, So.
- 106 — Ashlyn Steven, Rich, Sr.
- 107 — Rebecca Chamerlain, Monticello, Fr.
- 111 — Joy Gines, Tabiona, So.
- 112 — Lindi Rich, Bryce Valley, Fr.
- 112 — Braylyn Pugmire, Rich, So.
- 112 — Kamri Peterson, Wayne, Fr.
- 113 — Kimber Cluff, Valley, Sr.
- 114 — Katie Hatch, Panguitch, Sr.
- 114 — Cecily Nelson, Saint Joseph, So.
- 114 — Kayda Harrison, Green River, Fr.
- 115 — Leah Petersen, Rich, Sr.
- 116 — Kayzlee Larson, Milford, Sr.
- 116 — Addison Barnes, Milford, Fr.
- 116 — Sierra Woosley, Wayne, So.
- 116 — Morgan Ward, Rich, Sr.