Last Tuesday the girls golf team swung to victory at the Beatrice Invite. The team scored a 319 with Lily Gutta placing third individually shooting a 77 and Addi Benge placing fourth right behind Gutta shooting a 79. Gutta shared what strategies she used in the course that led her to the third place spot.
“A strategy I used when on the course was something our coach taught us. Since I joined the team my freshman year, I have been told the acronym DMGB,” Gutta said. “It stands for ‘doesn’t matter get better’. I said it on the course so when I hit a bad shot I would tell myself that shot didn’t matter and I needed to focus on the next shot to get better. I also love when the people I play with are talkative. I was with a very chatty person in my group which is always very nice because I can get my mind off of golf between every shot.”
Benge transferred from Gretna where she played varsity golf there as well. Last season she placed in the top five at districts and placed 20th at state. She is one of the captains this year, and shared overall how she thought she did at the tournament.
“It wasn’t my best day and I think we were all pretty tired,” Benge said. “Considering that was our third tournament of the week it definitely could’ve been better, but it was helpful knowing my teammates were all there for each other when we finished.”
Head coach Jered Hellman has been helpful to the girls throughout the season and has been coaching the girls and boys team these past years. He expressed how well he thought the players executed the game plan that was set.
“I think that the girls battled on a very ‘quirky golf course,’ ” Hellman said. “Kearney Country Club is the type of course that requires lots of exposure to be comfortable playing each hole, playing it for the first time is difficult and I was really proud of the girls for accepting the challenge and battling till the end.”
Gutta created a new personal best for herself in her first tournament of the season, which made her place the highest out of all the Westside girls. She shared what part of her game she was the most confident in.
“I believe the best part of my games that day were my drives,” Gutta said. “All my drives went on the fairway which allowed me to build confidence on the holes, because the holes started off with a good note. I also think that my putting was better that day than it has been. I also think that I was just excited to play because it was my first tournament of the season so i was just having fun, I had also never played the course before so I liked playing all the holes because it was a very pretty course.”
But there came some bumps along the road with a call that was made with Gutta that sparked disagreement. Hellman explained any standout performances or moments in the tournament he was proud of.
“During the end of the round, Lily Gutta was part of a difficult ruling that took nearly 40 minutes and we disagree with how it was handled,” Hellman said. “Lily was able to overcome a difficult situation and finish with her head held high which is a testament to her character. Sophia Martin had a slow start, but settled in and posted a really good score on a difficult course, and Addie Benge continues to be a consistent player for us and one we can count on. Kendall came off a great round at the Marian Invite and didn’t play her best golf Kearney, however we were able to celebrate her 15th birthday together as a team which was really special.”
Benge has been a vital part of the golf team. She expressed what strategies she used in the course and what part of the game she was the most confident in.
“It was a hard day so just taking it one shot at a time really helped my game and my mentality,” Benge said. “I felt most confident in my putting which definitely helped knowing if I got it on the green, I could get it in the cup pretty easily.”
There is a long season ahead of us with many tournaments left. Coach Hellman shared any upcoming tournaments or events he is particularly looking forward to.
“We prepare the same for all of our events, and during the regular season we don’t put more emphasis on one event over another,” Hellman said. “Our goal is always to play our best golf at the end of the season as we gear up for Metro, Districts and the State Tournament.”
