Andersen, Thompson heading back to state golf

Holyoke seniors Erin Andersen and Emma Thompson are making return trips to the 3A State Golf Championships after top 15 finishes at the Region 3 tournament Monday at Sterling’s Sky Ranch Golf Course.

Team berths went to Peak to Peak, final score 264, and Severance, 287. Peak to Peak had four finishers in the top 10 and Severance had two in the top four.

The Dragons, including Megan Walker and Emma Henry, placed fourth out of 15 teams.

After Peak to Peak and Severance’s individual results were removed from the standings, the next 13 golfers, including Andersen and Thompson, qualified for state.

Head Coach Nick Flaa said it’s been a historic three year run for the pair, who have qualified for state all three years.

No other Holyoke golfer has matched their accomplishments, Flaa said, and it’s not over yet.

Andersen placed eighth with a final score of 96.

“Andersen put on her game face today as she flirted with her career low deep into her round,” Flaa said. 

Last year in her postseason push her driver and tee ball game anchored her, he continued.

“This year that is no different as she is getting off the box in style. The upgrade this year has been her short game. She’s developed some trust with her finesse around the greens and is simply getting the ball closer to the hole giving her more opportunities. Her day was just that, solid,” Flaa said.

Thompson shot 101 and placed 15th.

Although Thompson didn’t finish where she wanted to at regionals, Flaa said it was mission accomplished.

“The goal for the day was to qualify and she did it. Emma holds her game to a high standard but what I think is special about her is that she still finds ways to score even when the ball doesn’t respond the way you plan,” Flaa said, adding Thompson hit many high level shots today but a couple bad breaks plagued the day which hindered any sort of momentum.

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