AKRON (Crawford County Now) — Senior Caroline Sheldon had a straightforward goal heading into her final season — get back to the state tournament and make sure she gets a second round.
After a district runner-up finish as a team, the first part of that goal was met. And at the conclusion of Monday’s round, the box was officially checked off with Sheldon finishing with a 160 (79-81) to place 16th overall.
“That was definitely the goal,” Sheldon chuckled when asked about getting to finish a second round. “I had a great time with my best friends, playing with everyone, and having a great time on and off the course.”
As expected, she was emotional after her final round donning the Wynford colors.
“I just had two bad holes, and that’s just the name of the game … if you have a bad hole, you’re not going to play well. But I gave it my best shot,” Sheldon said. “I’m so happy to be here, I’m just sad it’s over. I don’t even care how I played, I’m just sad it’s over with my best friends because it really was the time of our lives. It went by so quickly and I’m just forever grateful for them.
“It means so much to be to be a Royal because I’ve grown up through it and making a name for myself in golf, not just basketball, has meant even more. I’m thankful for my grandpa for putting me into it and being right by my side, and everyone that has supported me.”
Wynford placed eighth as a team with a 768 (393-375) with fellow seniors Maggie Ridge (104-94—198) and Willa Johnson (101-99—200) closing out their careers as well.
“Those kids started golfing for me on our middle school team in seventh grade,” Royals coach Sean Weisenauer said. “And even when I first started teaching … I had them in first grade. They’re rare.”
A year ago the team was 10th after the first day shooting a 390, and that’s where they would end up. Up two places and 12 strokes better than a projected two-day total from a year ago, Weisenauer was thrilled with his team’s performance.
“We joked around (that) we’re used to the greens at the Golf Club of Bucyrus which is nothing like the two-tier greens here … they’re going all over the place with undulations all over,” he said. “We told them to just enjoy the now because to make it to state one year is special, we’ve done it two years in a row with the same core three kids which is almost unheard of. We were going to give it our best, enjoy the experience, and enjoy the time with each other.
“We finished better than we were last year, which that was the goal going in. And we were better than we were yesterday which, anytime you play a two-day tournament you want to be better than you were a day before.”
And not far back from the seniors was freshman Briella Bennett who carded a 210 (109-101) to round out a season of impressive growth.
“Experience for her is huge … most teams if you have a freshman here, they’re not somebody that you’re expecting a score out of,” Weisenauer said. “But Briella was thrown in as our four and playing a hard course in her first experience at state knowing we’re counting her score regardless, she did outstanding. She did well yesterday and did better today … you wouldn’t think she’s a freshman, it seems like she has been playing this game a long time.
“She’s a great kid and has been a great (addition to this team).”