In what may arguably be the shortest commute to any off-campus sports venue, the Chaska girls golf team traveled across Pioneer Trail and hosted the Chaska Invite at Hazeltine on May 5.
The meet is the highlight of each season’s golf schedule, home to major PGA tournaments and the Ryder Cup.
“All of our golfers look forward to this meet,” said Head Coach Amber Koth. “The upperclassmen have played here before, but given this course’s design, to be able to play it again is special for them.”
The field for this 18-hole meet featured eight teams with half being top ranked teams in the state. Four of the state’s top 10 teams were at the meet: Minnetonka (#1), Elk River (#4), Maple Grove (#5), and Orono (#9). The meet also featured four of the top 10 rated golfers: #1 Ava Hanneman (Orono, Sr., playing next year at Furman), #2 Annika Hendrickson (Maple Grove, So.), #4 Selena Wu (Minnetonka, Jr.), Ruby Reading (Minnetonka, Jr.), and #9 Kieley Hanson (Minnetonka, So.).
Primarily a varsity event, each team had six players participate in play, with the top four scores counting. Each team also had a JV contingent who played on an exhibition basis. High school golfers (boys & girls) self-regulate, as there are no officials. Players post their scores using a sanctioned app, and results can be tracked in near real time. Coaches are allowed to talk with their golfers on the course, except on the green and in hazards.
Minnetonka took home the team honors for the meet, scoring a 307 with their top four golfers. Maple Grove was second at 315, and Chaska finished fifth with a 362.
Joey Koth (Sr.) led the Hawks with a score of 82, finishing 12th among all golfers. Jenna Campbell (So.) took 22nd, scoring 89 (season low); Maggie Hoffer (8th) took 28th, scoring 94; and Mallory Allen (Sr.) took 33rd, shooting 97.
“Very tough field, with three teams we competed against competing for state title,” Koth said. “Likely all the top girls, but a few will be competing as an individual for the Class AAA title.”
Assistant Coach Zakary Schay added some insight on the meet.
“I am really proud of how the girls played,” Schay said. “They haven’t played any courses like that this year. I know a couple girls were disappointed in their scores, but they kept grinding on a tough course. It was fun to watch and coach them through. They’re all so coachable and so fun to be around. Shoutout to JC on breaking 90 at Hazeltine!”
After the Chaska Invite, the girl’s team had four more events.
On May 6, the team traveled to Maple Grove and played in the Invite at Rush Creek. Maggie Hoffer led the Hawks that day with an 80 (15th overall for the invite), followed by Joey Koth with an 82.
The Irish Invite was held on May 9th in Rosemont. Chaska finished third in this 11-school event with a 346. Joey Koth shot a 75, placing fourth for the meet, and Malloy Allen carded an 88.
For the two-day Oak Ridge Invite on May 12/13, the team was led by Joey Koth at nine over for a 166, placing fifth overall for the event. Jenna Campbell shot a 190 and was a strong second for the Hawks.
The Andover Invite was May 15, and the Hawks finished 11 out of 22 schools with a 359. Joey Koth led the Hawks with an 82, followed by Malory Allen with an 89.
The Girl’s golf sectionals will be on May 27-28 at Ridges.
