Excitement for open slots promotes healthy competition

By Reagan Hoverman

The back-to-back defending state championship Prescott girls golf team enters the 2022 season in uncharted waters as there are multiple slots on the varsity roster that need to be filled before the season begins in the middle of August.

In the past two seasons, Prescott has established itself as the premier Division 2 girls golf program in Wisconsin. Last year’s state championship team featured then-seniors Jessica Heinsch and Liz Rohl, who have since graduated, thus leaving two open positions on the varsity roster.

In the past, head coach Chad Salay has stated that replacing Rohl and Heinsch will be challenging because of what they brought to the table not only on the golf course but as leaders in the locker room. The search for their replacements has begun and according to Salay, it has generated healthy competition among young golfers.

“I think with two positions being open theoretically, there is a lot of hope for the girls, for lack of a better word,” Salay said. “A lot of the girls are putting in a lot of time and getting after it. Between my kids and being on vacation I can’t always be at Troy Burne but when I’m there, there are like 14 girls there for the voluntary coaching sessions.”

Troy Burne has become a staple in the Prescott girls golf program because that is where most of the individual professional swing coaching is done for the Cardinals roster. The voluntary sessions throughout the summer have yielded impressive results that Salay said will create a high-level competition for those varsity roster positions.

“Excitement is super high and the girls are working hard,” Salay said. “Some of their results are really good already for the girls that haven’t even played a varsity match yet. We’re going to have some serious competition for those two or three spots we have available.”

There are two slam-dunk slots open on the roster, which formerly belonged to the aforementioned Rohl and Heinsch. Returners from the 2021 state championship roster include seniors Ava Salay, Rhi Stutz and Maddie Reiter.

Ava Salay and Stutz are locked in as the #1 and # 2 golfers on the team, Reiter will likely occupy the third slot on the roster as her scoring average remains in the range for a middling varsity slot. Although her scoring average is closer to some of the girls com – peting for the last two slots than it is to Ava Salay and Stutz, her experience on two state championship teams and her leadership will certainly be factors when deciding where she plays this season.

“Maddie Reiter has been on two state champion teams,” Chad Salay said. “She was kind of on the border, but she has been there, done that. As of late, she has struggled a bit, but I feel like she is one of those girls that will be there (on varsity) and I think most of the girls think that too. She has averaged some great scores for us (over the years).” Ava Salay serves as the returning individual state champion and will receive well-deserved media attention from outlets through – out the state. However, Stutz has spent the last two years flying under the radar as a young developing player who is ready to make a jump for her senior season.

Last year, Stutz regularly slotted in as the #3 golfer on the team and didn’t receive as much attention as Ava Salay and Liz Rohl, the two players ahead of her. Now, she moves up on the depth chart and has another year under her belt. Chad Salay spoke about Stutz’s development and what to expect from her this season.

“She is going to be exciting to watch,” Chad Salay said. “Her shooting a 75 at University Ridge is way better than I thought (was going to happen). I think she is going to have a phenomenal year. She has been working really hard and just the experience – it’s crazy how much experience makes such a huge difference. Liz (Rohl) and Jess (Heinsch), the golf IQ was o the charts from junior to senior year.” Chad Salay is buying stock in Stutz for the upcoming year because of what he has seen from her during the offseason, because of that important extra year of experience that she will have. He spoke about what she is capable of this season.

“I think that (golf IQ boost) will happen with Rhi (Stutz) too,” Chad Salay said. “I think she has the potential to be Liz’s scoring average from last year. She’s doing all the right things and is working hard.” While Stutz will serve as the #2 golfer on the roster, Ava Salay remains the star-studded attraction for the 2022 season. Throughout the summer, Ava Salay has been traveling around Wisconsin and the larger Midwest competing in several major offseason championships.

On Sunday, July 17, and Monday, July 18, Ava Salay competed in the Wisconsin Junior PGA Tour Championship at the Washington County Golf Course in Hartford. Salay finished the first day in third place with a score of 71 (-1).

On the second day of the tournament, Ava Salay caught fire on the back nine – as she has done so many times throughout her career – and made a late charge to secure the championship. She played the last three holes in three-under par which included an eagle on the 17th hole.

“That was an awesome tournament that had a lot of the best players in the state there,” Chad Salay said. “Ava’s finish was awesome. She grabbed the lead with the birdie on the 16th hole and then got another stroke on the 17th with that eagle because the other girls made birdie. It was a great performance for her to shoot that back nine score and it will be a great confidence boost for her.” Both Ava Salay and Stutz will serve as the anchors for the upcoming season, Reiter will likely occupy the third varsity slot and two other positions remain up for grabs in the opening week of the season. The first day of practice is slated to begin on Monday, Aug. 8.