Consistency played a huge role in Katelyn Dunstan's victory at the Class 4A girls state golf tournament Monday.
Dunstan, a sophomore at Baptist Prep, parred nine consecutive holes and stayed out of trouble, for the most part, on her way to earning a one-over par 73 on The Country Club of Arkansas course in Maumelle.
"I did hook a few shots with my woods, and that wasn't good," Dunstan said. "I wound up using my 5-iron off the tee a lot. But my putting was good and my iron shots were good. Overall, it was a good round for me."
Dunstan finished with a two-stroke victory over Central Arkansas Christian junior Allie Weiner. Bauxite's Sophia Canale shot a 79 for third place. The top three in Monday's event qualified for the Overall tournament, which will be held at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock on Thursday, Oct. 15.
CAC rolled to the team title. Behind a 75 from Weiner, an 81 from Josie Roberson and an 86 from Alexa Goodlow, the Mustangs compiled an impressive 242. Pocahontas claimed the runner-up trophy with a 301, one stroke better than Shiloh Christian's 302.
Starting at No. 17, Dunstan parred her opening hole and took a bogey on No. 18. She parred the next nine holes. The 16-year-old finished with two birdies and three bogeys on the back nine.
"I hit into the woods a few times, but I was able to punch it back into the fairway and get up-and-down," Dunstan said. "I shot a 73 out here last year, and with the fairways being so tight, that's a good score for me."
Weiner's round included four birdies, but it also included five bogeys and a double bogey on the 299-yard par 4 No. 14.
"Overall, I thought I had a good round, but I missed a few putts," said Weiner, who said she plays The Country Club of Arkansas course almost every day. "I stayed out here (Sunday) and I putted for three hours so I don't know what more I could have done."
Weiner said her 75 was a little disappointing, but not unexpected.
"I know the course like I know the back of my hand," Weiner said. "This course is hard no matter how many times you play it. It never gets easier. Considering I put myself in some good situations, I felt like I could have done so much better. But I could have also done a whole lot worse. I'm pleased with the 75."
Sports on 09/29/2015