DARLINGTON - Darlington junior Nellie Black has big expectations for the Darlington-Cuba City golf team after a sectional-qualifying season last year.
Black shot a 9-over-par 44 and the Redbirds opened the season Friday shooting a 210 against Southwestern at the Darlington Country Club. The dual match turned into an exhibition since Southwestern had just three golfers.
Black attended the University of Wisconsin golf camp earlier this summer and her work on the course already has paid dividends.
"It was good to shoot a pretty good score for the first match," Black said. "There is room for a lot of improvement on chipping and putting especially. We have a lot of potential. It should be a good season. I'm excited."
Darlington-Cuba City coach Gary Ringen has no doubts Nellie and her freshman sister, Naomi, will put in the extra work to get better.
"I think that UW camp has really added to her game," Ringen said of Nellie. "She is confident. Both her and her sister live on the golf course."
Cuba City senior Ali McCauley, the lone golfer from her school, finished with a 48.
"I didn't play very good today," McCauley said. "With the pace being so slow it was hard to be concentrating. The 7's on 2 and 3 hurt. I shook those off and came back."
After a booming drive on No. 9, McCauley almost sank a 25-yard chip shot that hugged the pin. She made the short putt for par and ended her first prep round this year with some momentum.
"Being the only one from Cuba City, they look up to you," she said. "They (Darlington) are the ones who wanted to co-op with us. You have to do your best for them."
Ringen knows McCauley just has to get back into a groove playing at the Darlington Country Club.
"Ali doesn't play this course," Ringen said. "Her course is Cole Acres in Cuba City, where there are faster greens and it's more wide open and she can bomb away. This course is tighter with narrower fairways."
Naomi Black shot a 56 and Erica McComish carded a 62 in their first varsity matches.
"I wanted my No. 4 and 5 golfers to get going and get a score," Ringen said. "I'm happy they can set a mark. They have something to improve on."
Southwestern wasn't the only team playing the first round of golf short handed. Darlington played without sophomore Shelby Poss, who injured her back playing golf after practice earlier this week.
"She tried hitting on the driving range and adjusting her swing," Ringen said. "She has such a nice smooth swing."
Ringen didn't take any chances and had Poss sit out the first match so she can be ready for a double dual Monday against Lena-Winslow (Ill.) and Southwestern at the Darlington Country Club.
Black shot a 9-over-par 44 and the Redbirds opened the season Friday shooting a 210 against Southwestern at the Darlington Country Club. The dual match turned into an exhibition since Southwestern had just three golfers.
Black attended the University of Wisconsin golf camp earlier this summer and her work on the course already has paid dividends.
"It was good to shoot a pretty good score for the first match," Black said. "There is room for a lot of improvement on chipping and putting especially. We have a lot of potential. It should be a good season. I'm excited."
Darlington-Cuba City coach Gary Ringen has no doubts Nellie and her freshman sister, Naomi, will put in the extra work to get better.
"I think that UW camp has really added to her game," Ringen said of Nellie. "She is confident. Both her and her sister live on the golf course."
Cuba City senior Ali McCauley, the lone golfer from her school, finished with a 48.
"I didn't play very good today," McCauley said. "With the pace being so slow it was hard to be concentrating. The 7's on 2 and 3 hurt. I shook those off and came back."
After a booming drive on No. 9, McCauley almost sank a 25-yard chip shot that hugged the pin. She made the short putt for par and ended her first prep round this year with some momentum.
"Being the only one from Cuba City, they look up to you," she said. "They (Darlington) are the ones who wanted to co-op with us. You have to do your best for them."
Ringen knows McCauley just has to get back into a groove playing at the Darlington Country Club.
"Ali doesn't play this course," Ringen said. "Her course is Cole Acres in Cuba City, where there are faster greens and it's more wide open and she can bomb away. This course is tighter with narrower fairways."
Naomi Black shot a 56 and Erica McComish carded a 62 in their first varsity matches.
"I wanted my No. 4 and 5 golfers to get going and get a score," Ringen said. "I'm happy they can set a mark. They have something to improve on."
Southwestern wasn't the only team playing the first round of golf short handed. Darlington played without sophomore Shelby Poss, who injured her back playing golf after practice earlier this week.
"She tried hitting on the driving range and adjusting her swing," Ringen said. "She has such a nice smooth swing."
Ringen didn't take any chances and had Poss sit out the first match so she can be ready for a double dual Monday against Lena-Winslow (Ill.) and Southwestern at the Darlington Country Club.
