Character-building first round

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Not what they wanted, but Mullen's Mustangs are 4th in the team chase and have 2 individuals in the top 8 of the Class 4A Colorado Tournament.
 
AURORA – It wasn’t what they wanted and there was blanket dismay, but Mullen’s Mustangs have another collective shot in Colorado’s Class 4A Tournament.

As a team, the Mustangs stood fourth on Monday at a very difficult-playing CommonGround Golf Course, 17 shots off the pace, and their top two individuals are tied for fourth and eighth places.

And they remain within range heading into Tuesday’s second round.

“If I had to speak for the girls, I think they all were disappointed in their performances today,” Mustangs head coach Kate Walker said. “But I’m confident with the year we've had all will play better and finish on a high note.”

Mullen totaled 56 over par, 17 shots behind first-day leader Discovery Canyon.

Individually, the Mustangs’ Sofia Choi tied for fourth at 7-over 79. She went 41-38, hindered by a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 396-yard, par-4 No. 5. However she played the next eight holes in 1-under before finishing with bogeys at Nos. 17 and 18.

The junior is tied with three others and was second in 2019 (there was no season in 2020).

Zingler was a stroke back at 80. The sophomore made the turn at 37 before coming home in 7-over 43. A double bogey and five bogeys dominated her back side..

Hannah Giacomin (113) and Elle Deorio (116) also had tough rounds.

Holy Family’s Jessica Mason, a junior, shot a 3-under 69 to hold the individual lead.

The tall native grasses, challenging pin placements, humid conditions and backed-up play on the back nine made for a long day, Walker said, and even though it was the first real taste of schoolgirl tournament play for her players, she remains upbeat.

“All things considered,” she said, “we’re definitely in a position to do much better … it’s a really good learning experience for them and a good taste of challenging tournament golf.”
 
CLASS 4A TOURNAMENT

At CommonGround G.C., Aurora

Monday

Top team scores – Discovery Canyon, 327, Holy Family 335, Cheyenne Mountain 338, Mullen 344.

Medalist leader – Jessica Mason, Holy Family, 69.

Mullen scores – Sofia Choi 79, Kaitlin Zingler 80, Hannah Giacomin 113, Elle Deorio 116.

Mullen Tuesday Tee Times – Sofia Choi, Tee No. 1, 9:09 a.m.; Kaitlin Zingler Tee No. 1, 9:18 a.m.; Hannah Giacomin, Tee No. 10, 8:51 a.m.; Elle Deorio, Tee No. 10, 9 a.m.
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