Madeline Roberts, left, and Jamie McGee, right, are accompanied by Carson High head coach Wade Greenlee after the pair qualified for the Class 4A Nevada girls golf state tournament Tuesday.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
For the third year in a row, both Jamie McGee and Madeline Roberts will be taking their talents to the state tournament.
Carson High School girls golf competed at the Class 4A level this fall, but still battled with the largest schools in Northern Nevada despite the change.
The two-day regional tournament — held at Wolf Run Golf Course — posed challenges that Northern Nevada golf hasn’t seen this fall.
After a season of sunny, warm conditions, the two-day event forced competitors to battle through windy, cold conditions and even a slight drizzle at times.
McGee, who was 10th overall as an individual, put together a second day score of 90 after an opening round 100.
“It’s very exciting. I wish we could’ve gone as a team, but it’s awesome to be qualified as an individual,” said McGee.
Carson had qualified as a team each of the last two seasons, but took fourth as a squad this fall, missing the top-three qualifying mark.
(Madeline Roberts of Carson High girls golf watches her drive, during the second day of the 2023 Northern Nevada Class 4A North regional tournament. Roberts qualified for state for the third year in a row after putting together a score of 197 over the two-day event. / Courtesy Faith Photography NV)
“We’ve had really, really nice weather over the whole season so we were a little spoiled,” said Roberts. “You can see it across the scoreboard.”
The two hadn’t played competitively at Wolf Run since their sophomore year and the pin placement challenged the whole field.
The tees also were pushed back for the regional tournament, which wasn’t what the team expected after playing the course for practice in the days leading up to the tournament.
“We weren’t really prepared for it. We played here like a week before and we didn’t play from the further back tees, so we had all of our clubs in mind. … Then we had to find all new clubs.”
Roberts said the most challenging portion of that came on the par 3’s where she had her club picked out.
“You’ve got a set club you’re going to hit and sometimes it’s rough if you don’t know what you’re going for,” Roberts said.
It was an especially tough adjustment when you factor in poor weather.
The two have different mental approaches when swinging.
“I have to really focus on slowing down my backswing and making sure I come through and don’t swing over,” said McGee.
Roberts said peace of mind is her friend.
“I actually try to clear my mind to take a shot,” Roberts said. “When I line up to the ball I normally just count to five and then hit because that makes it so I’m not overthinking anything.”
The Class 4A state will be held in Las Vegas and the two-day season finale will be held at two different courses.
Monday, Oct. 17, the two Senator qualifiers will play at The Club at Sunrise while Tuesday’s final day of competition will be at Aliante Golf Club.
(Madeline Roberts of Carson High girls golf watches her drive, during the second day of the 2023 Northern Nevada Class 4A North regional tournament. Roberts qualified for state for the third year in a row after putting together a score of 197 over the two-day event. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)