MADISON – On Monday, Oct. 11, the Prescott girls golf team returned to University Ridge in Madison trying to win their second consecutive WIAA Division 2 State Girls Golf Championship. After 18 holes of play during day one, the Cardinals have a 10-stroke lead over second-place Saint Croix Central and are in control of their championship destiny going into day two.

The Prescott Cardinals posted a day one team score of 338, exactly ten shots better than Saint Croix Central, the lone school occupying second place with a 348. The Prescott scoring was led by junior golfer Ava Salay, who posted a sixover- par round of 78 which is tied for the best individual score through the first day with Sally Vangsness of Saint Croix Central.

Salay wasn’t the only Prescott golfer having a quality day on the course. All five of the varsity golfers posted scores that ranked them in the top 15 for all individuals at the tournament. The second-best score of the day was Jessica Heinsch, who posted an 86. Rhi Stutz and Liz Rohl both shot 87 and Maddie Reiter rounded out the Prescott lineup with a round of 90.

In previous 18-hole tournaments, Prescott head coach Chad Salay has stated that a total team score in the 330s is a round that he is happy with as a coach. Prescott’s 338 at a tough University Ridge course would be impressive on a sunny day with perfect scoring conditions. However, that wasn’t even close to the case on Monday afternoon in Madison.

By the time that Ava Salay was on the second tee box, the rain and adverse weather conditions had rolled in and what was a regular overcast day quickly became a downpour that lasted several hours. Ava Salay and the other golfers in the field battled through rain conditions that made it hard to judge distance, green speeds and wind. From approximately 10 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. golfers battled the conditions. A few minutes later the horn blew, and play was suspended due to the weather conditions.

The rain delay lasted from approximately 12:50 p.m. until 2:20 p.m. The clear skies were only temporary once play resumed. The rain continued on and off until the final group left the 18th green at 6:30 p.m. just before daylight was gone.

After day one action concluded, Chad Salay spoke about the weather conditions and how they impacted the scoring for the day.

“Conditions were tough,” Chad Salay said after walking off the 18th green. “I don’t think it was as bad as you would have thought based on how much rain we got. A couple of the fairways were tough, and we had to modify some shots but overall, it actually wasn’t horrible. I’m pleased with how the course played for how much rain it got.”

Chad Salay talked about the 10-shot lead over Saint Croix Central and how he feels about Prescott’s play going into day two of the state tournament.

“We’re super happy about the 10-shot lead, any lead is a good lead,” Chad Salay said. “We didn’t quite separate as much on the back nine, but we still beat (Saint Croix Central) on the back nine to gain a couple more strokes. A cushion is great, and we can’t be upset about that. We wanted to get 18 holes in today because we knew the more holes we played, the more we would separate.”

Chad Salay also noted that Prescott had an unfortunate draw in terms of tee times and the weather conditions that came with those tee times. Saint Croix Central’s tee times began at 8:50 a.m. and ended at 9:30 a.m. The Panthers got more time on the course before the rain got started and because of that, had more favorable scoring conditions early in the tournament.

“It was tough – we were playing in probably the worst draw,” Chad Salay said. “(Saint Croix Central) had the early finish, so that’s kind of the way it goes. We don’t make that an excuse, it’s just the way it goes.”

Ava Salay’s 78 on day one led the charge for Prescott in their quest to defend their state championship title from last season. After the round, Ava Salay gave initial thoughts on the round she played and what she needs to do on day two.

“I don’t think I played my best,” Ava said after the round. “I had some shots that I would have done differently if I could go back and redo them. With the ending here being dark (because of the weather delay), I think I would have played a little better on the last couple of holes with more light.”

When talking about day two of the state championship, Ava Salay stated that she’s happy it’s not a massive lead over Saint Croix Central.

“I’m happy that we don’t have an insane lead because I think it puts all of us in a spot where we need to grind tomorrow and push through,” Ava Salay said. “I think that’s something that our team strives with and will help us play well.”

Last year Ava Salay finished second overall as an individual at the state tournament. She missed out on first place by one stroke. Day two of the 2021 state tournament is another chance for her to win an individual state title which is basically the only thing she hasn’t accomplished in high school golf. She talked about what she needs to do to bring home that individual title for the first time on Tuesday.

“I think if I just play my own game and keep my focus, I think I can take it home,” Ava Salay said.

Of course, the best golfer on the defending state championship Prescott team, Ava Salay, is going to get most of the attention. However, the entire Prescott roster has contributed to another successful season. Senior Jessica Heinsch has reached her stride this season and is playing some of the best golf of her career. After shooting an impressive 80 at the sectional meet at Pheasant Hills, Heinsch shot an 86 on the first day of the state tournament. Coach Chad Salay talked about the importance of not only Ava Salay at the top, but also the three, four and five spot golfers on his varsity roster.

“We’re strong, everyone in our lineup, that’s why we’re so good,” Chad Salay said of his team. “Everybody can contribute at any time. Maddie Reiter played awesome today, Liz (Rohl) had a great front, Rhi (Stutz) had an awesome back nine too with a birdie in there, everyone played awesome. A 338 in the conditions we played in, I mean, that’s a great score on a state tournament course in a state tournament.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 12, Prescott will have a 10shot advantage with 18 holes to play in the 36hole tournament. Maddie Reiter will be the first Prescott player to tee off at 9:40 a.m. The final player to tee off will be Ava Salay, who begins her round at 10:20 a.m and will play the back nine first.

Prescott senior golfer Liz Rohl lines up her shot on the first hole at University Ridge. Rohl played an important role on the state championship team last year and is again contributing in a meaningful way this season.Photo by Reagan Hoverman

Prescott senior Jessica Heinsch hits her opening tee shot at the 2021 WIAA State Girls Golf Tournament. In the first round, Heinsch posted a score of 86, which put her in a tie for eighth place as an individual going into day two.Photo by Reagan Hoverman

Prescott golfer Maddie Reiter chokes up on her club to gain more control as she hits her shot out of the rough on the first hole at University Ridge. Reiter’s day one score of 90 placed her in a tie for 15th place as an individual.Photo by Reagan Hoverman