Del Norte girls golf team host HDN event on Thursday

Warriors have strong showing

Sydney Benson hits a golf ball on Thursday at the Del Norte Golf Course. Del Norte Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

The Warriors hosted its first and only Humboldt-Del Norte Conference event of 2011 at the Del Norte Golf Course.

The squad took fourth place, with senior Sydney Benson shooting a 99, good enough for seventh place.

It was the best showing in the three years head coach Cris Rice had been with the team.

“That was our best tournament, yet,” he said. “There were a lot of positive things I saw today.”

Originally, the event was to take place on Monday, but rainy weather conditions delayed things by three days.

By Thursday the weather was great, with clear, sunny skies.

“Thankfully, we got a beautiful day today,” Rice told the participants before the event began. “Let’s go have fun.”

He did warn them that there were still some wet patches scattered about the golf course.

If the ball landed in a puddle of standing water they could move the ball, but if it landed in a sand trap, even if it had water in it, they would have to attempt a shot. But, they could use a rake to remove any excess water.

At the first hole, Benson anxiously awaited her turn.

She had just been moved up to the second highest HND group, and Benson wanted to do well.

“I’m a little nervous since I have moved up,” she said. “I’ve got to step it up I guess.”

Benson had a good start on her first swing, driving the ball far down the fairway.

“I like her commitment and her role as a leader on the team,” Rice said.

For instance, he said, Benson is going to Arcata on Sunday, the site of the next HND meet, to get a better feel for the conditions at the golf course they will be playing at.

Taylor Shanle had her best score ever, shooting 110.

“She was very good today,” Rice said.

Brooke Trujillo finished with a score of 112 and hit 51 on the front nine, the same as Benson had.

As Trujillo played, her grandparents, Mary and Tom Torres, watched from a nearby golf cart.

“It’s exciting to watch her play,” Mary Torres said. “She loves golf. We love it when we have the opportunity to watch and support her.”

Rice said that Trujillo has a lot of potential, performing well so far this year and showing improvement.

“She’s really becoming a good golfer,” he said.

Baillie Jones finished with a score of 118. Amber Preston shot 136 and Kaylee Thompson shot 138.

Del Norte next plays on Thursday at Baywood Golf Course in Arcata.a 136 and Kaylee Thomson shot a 138.

Del Norte next plats on Thursday at Baywood Golf Course in Arcata.