Swinging to state

MONTROSE — Before seniors Danielle Tafoya and Tessa Sullivan don on their caps and gown for graduation, they have to take one more trip to the golf course as Lady Indians.

The duo are among 84 golfers who are competing at the Class 4A girls' state golf tournament, which is held at the Rolling Hills Country Club on Monday and Tuesday.

"We want to have fun when we go up there," Sullivan said. "Stay cool and composed at each hole."

For Sullivan it will be her second trip to state.

She qualified her sophomore year and finished in the top 50 after shooting a 191 during the two-day tournament. She sealed her bid for state this year after shooting an 87 at regionals where she placed fourth.

"I know what to expect now after being there before," Sullivan said. "All the girls are in the same boat when we get out on the course."  

For Tafoya it will be her first time playing at the state tournament. She placed ninth at regionals with a season-best 91.

"We just want to just go out there and enjoy the day," Tafoya said. "There is no pressure now, because we already made state. We really just want to have fun and have a good round."

This year has been the two seniors best season at Montrose.

Sullivan shot a season-low 79 at the Lady Indians’ home tournament at Black Canyon golf course and she followed that with an 84 at the Eagle Valley tournament, which was good enough for second.

Tafoya has been steady for Montrose, shooting a 91 three times this season.

While neither girls have played at the Rolling Hills, a private golf course in Golden, they are aware of the challenge that they will face.

"The greens are going to be a lot faster than anywhere around here," Tafoya said. "There is going to be a lot more sand traps."

The field won't be easy either, with eight golfers shooting in the 70s to qualify.

However, with graduation around the corner and their high school careers coming to an end the two are seeing the state tournament as a chance to relax.

“It will be nice to just relax with all of our school work done. There really won’t be any pressure,” Sullivan said.