Class A girls golf tourney begins Monday

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BY KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star

There’s nothing like a coach setting an example for her players.

Steph Kolbas stepped up to the tee box at the par-3 third hole at Holmes Golf Course on Friday. One of her players, Caitlin Fieselman, had just had her tee shot roll past the hole.

“I said, “Well, maybe you’ve got to hit it a little harder,’” Kolbas said.

The longtime Lincoln Pius X coach, four-time city golf champion and two-time state champion hit her 8-iron shot on the green. The ball rolled into the cup.

“Maybe that’s a little inspiration for the team,” said Kolbas, who has recorded three aces.

Kolbas has one of three Lincoln teams in the Class A Girls State High School Tournament on Monday and Tuesday at Norfolk Country Club.

Lincoln Southwest, led by freshmen Gentry Carveth and Emma Mabry, and Lincoln Southeast, paced by Jenna Krieger and Virginia Murphy, also qualified for the team competition.

Lincoln East sophomore Jacqueline O’Doherty had the sixth-best score in districts and is one of the favorites for the individual title.

Class C Lincoln Lutheran is counting on returning medalist Amy Swearer and Shelby Backhus.

Omaha Marian is the clear favorite in Class A, while Beatrice, paced by Elizabeth Havekost, is the favorite in the Class B tournament ar Riverside Country Club in Grand Island. The Class C tournament will be played at Indianhead Golf Course in Grand Island.

“You want to see your team improve throughout the season and play the best they can at state,” Kolbas said. “We’ve seen everybody on this team take those little steps. Caitlin Fieselman has moved from our No. 5 player last year to our No. 1 or 2 this year. Sarah Bossard has improved a ton and shot her career-low scores the last two tournaments.

“Lindsay Determan is our best athlete and played basketball all summer but is playing golf with the confidence she plays basketball now,” Kolbas said. “Ellen Larsen was one of those freshmen who was happy to have her first set of clubs. Now, as a junior, she’s somebody we count on.”

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.